Axpo launches a new hydrogen plant in Switzerland to strengthen its industrial positioning

Axpo and its partners have started construction of a hydrogen plant in Bürglen. This facility will produce 260 tonnes of hydrogen annually for industrial and mobility applications.

Share:

Axpo, in partnership with Schätzle AG, EWA-Energie Uri, and SGV Holding AG, has begun construction of a hydrogen production plant in Bürglen, central Switzerland. The project, led by the H2Uri company, aims for an annual production capacity of 260 tonnes of hydrogen, using electricity supplied by the EWA-Energie Uri hydropower plant.

The Swiss energy group positions this installation within its diversification strategy and hydrogen development roadmap as an energy solution. This production will reduce the consumption of over one million liters of diesel across several regional applications.

Objective: Regional hydrogen supply

The plant will primarily supply the mobility and industrial transport sectors. SGV Holding AG plans to convert the passenger vessel Saphir, operating on Lake Lucerne, to a hydrogen propulsion system. This initiative addresses the increasing demand for alternative solutions in both public and private transportation.

Schätzle AG, which operates a hydrogen refueling station in the region, is also among the customers for this production. This local distribution model helps structure regional supply and meet growing business demands for alternative energy solutions.

Strategic positioning and economic stakes

The Bürglen project is part of Axpo’s industrial ambitions for hydrogen development. Guy Bühler, head of power plants and industrial gases at Axpo, stated that this initiative builds on the experience gained from the group’s existing plant in Domat/Ems.

The company is also strengthening its position with another project located in Wildegg-Brugg in the canton of Aargau. Construction of this plant, delayed by administrative procedures, is scheduled to begin in spring 2025.

Perspectives for the Swiss market

Hydrogen production at these new facilities aims to meet regional energy needs for industrial and mobility sectors while consolidating domestic supply security. Axpo is pursuing a strategic approach by structuring industrial partnerships to accelerate the implementation of projects across the hydrogen value chain.

Investments in these infrastructures mark a significant positioning for Axpo in a market still under development. However, according to the group’s executives, the economic and technical challenges of hydrogen development may slow the sector’s growth.

The first European citizen funding campaign dedicated to green hydrogen enabled Lhyfe to collect €2.5mn from nearly 1,200 investors, strengthening the development of new sites in France and Germany.
In the face of renewable energy intermittency, Power-to-Hydrogen-to-Power (PtP) technology could revolutionize energy storage. However, its adoption still depends on cost reduction and efficiency improvements.
South Korean company YPP and Kazakh Invest have signed a framework agreement for the development of a green hydrogen production project in Kazakhstan, with investments potentially reaching $3.1 billion.
The Dutch government has granted major funding to HyCC for its H2eron electrolysis project, aimed at producing renewable hydrogen in the Delfzijl industrial zone.
ACWA Power has signed several agreements with European partners to develop a green energy export chain between Saudi Arabia and Europe, as part of the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor project.
Manufacturer Stellantis halts production of its hydrogen-powered commercial vehicles, citing a lack of commercial prospects and an insufficient market, according to a statement released by the automotive group.
Malaysia reaches a decisive milestone in its energy roadmap with the launch of a hybrid floating hydro-solar project and the first large-scale green hydrogen hub in the state of Terengganu.
Hynamics UK and Hy24 have signed an exclusive agreement to develop the Fawley Green Hydrogen project, backed by the UK HAR2 scheme, to supply green hydrogen to ExxonMobil's petrochemical complex.
China has approved the construction of a strategic pipeline to transport green hydrogen from Inner Mongolia to Beijing, facilitating supply to industrial zones around the capital and boosting a rapidly expanding energy economy.
The European Commission introduces a greenhouse gas emissions methodology for low-carbon hydrogen, establishing a long-awaited regulatory framework for the sector and paving the way for new industrial investments.
French company Lhyfe has carried out its first successful green hydrogen combustion tests in Spain, delivering three tonnes over three weeks to the Valencian ceramic industry, opening a new potential alternative to industrial fossil natural gas.
Envision announces the official commissioning of the world's largest green hydrogen and ammonia plant in China, powered by an autonomous renewable energy system and entirely AI-driven, with exports planned from late 2025.
Sumitomo Corporation announces a strategic investment in Independence Hydrogen aimed at developing new decentralized hydrogen production and distribution projects in the United States, targeting industrial, logistics and critical infrastructure sectors.
80 Mile announces that it has increased its stake in Hydrogen Valley to 49% and signed a memorandum of understanding with Tecnoparco for the supply of 40,000 tonnes of biofuel per year, aiming to reduce palm oil dependency.
The Hive Coega project, South Africa’s most ambitious green ammonia initiative, enters its operational phase with the release of tenders for essential infrastructure, marking a major step forward for the country in renewable energy production.
The Belfort commercial court has approved the sale of McPhy to John Cockerill Hydrogen, a €600,000 transaction involving majority retention of staff and an industrial project partially funded by European subsidies.
The City of Fresno becomes the latest member of First Public Hydrogen, the first US public authority dedicated to hydrogen development, thus strengthening its energy infrastructure and municipal bus fleet.
The official confirmation in June 2025 by the French government regarding the detection of significant natural hydrogen reserves in Lorraine, the Pyrenees, and Aquitaine could represent a major strategic turning point for national and European energy sovereignty. However, the technical, economic, and environmental challenges associated with its exploitation might slow its large-scale implementation.
Stanwell announces the end of its participation in the Central Queensland Hydrogen Project, a major international hydrogen production initiative, raising questions about the sector's outlook in the region.
Lhyfe becomes the first French producer to obtain European RFNBO certification, delivering the first batches of certified hydrogen and opening access to new support mechanisms for the industrial sector.