Axpo halts Swiss green H2 project after citizens' appeal

Swiss utility Axpo Holding AG said on Monday that it has been forced to cease planning works for its 2.5-MW green hydrogen project at a hydropower plant (HPP) in Switzerland following a legal challenge by a group of private citizens.

Three citizens filed appeals to the Appeal Court of the Canton of Zurich against the construction of a hydrogen production facility at the Eglisau-Glattfelden HPP, and succeeded in halting the project.

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Axpo said it had plans to replace the existing power plant building, located outside the current building zone, with the proposed hydrogen production facility. The company applied for an exemption permit, and secured approval by the authorities.

“Among other criteria such permits are granted subject to site-dependency and in consideration of a positive balance of interests,” the power producer said.

The citizens’ successfull appeal against the town of Glattfelden and the Building Department of the Canton of Zurich means that Axpo now has to halt project planning immediately.

Before the setback, Axpo was hoping its facility would be able to produce some 350 tonnes of green hydrogen per year for delivery to filling stations. An increase in demand for hydrogen could have made the plant’s capacity grow to 5 MW eventually.

“Despite the project halt, Axpo will hold to its plans to expand green hydrogen and realise other projects in Switzerland,” the company added.