Deploying sustainable fuels to power our energy systems is the final milestone on the journey towards decarbonisation. The launch of Wärtsilä’s hydrogen engine power plant represents a key step towards net zero and a 100% renewable energy future.
The deployment of renewables around the world is set to double by the end of this decade, creating the right conditions for excess clean electricity to be used for hydrogen-based, carbon-neutral fuels.
Because of the intermittent nature of renewable energy sources like wind and solar power, they need to be balanced by flexible power-generation solutions.
We are helping our customers in the energy sector to decarbonise by providing future-proof balancing solutions which are ready to run on sustainable fuels such as green hydrogen.
Engine power plants are the optimal solution for balancing renewables, and when fuelled by green hydrogen they make power production completely carbon free.
Wärtsilä’s hydrogen power plant solutions enable this 100% carbon-free power generation.
They are also highly fuel efficient and have extremely fast ramp times with no minimum up or downtime, which means that they are operating optimally on the chosen fuel.
The heart of the Wärtsilä hydrogen-ready engine power plant is the Wärtsilä 31 engine platform – the most efficient engine of its type in the world. It is a highly proven engine platform and has over a million running hours on the field. Wärtsilä 31 is fuel flexible, which means that you can operate both on hydrogen and natural gas.
The first products brought to the market will be the 100% hydrogen-ready natural gas Wärtsilä 31SG-H2 engine and the Wärtsilä 31H2 pure hydrogen engine.
Wärtsilä’s hydrogen-ready power plant solutions are available for tendering in 2025 and delivery in 2026.
A hydrogen-ready gas power plant that can be converted to run on 100% hydrogen.
Runs efficiently on natural gas and with hydrogen blends of up to 25% volume before conversion. And when you have access to larger volumes of hydrogen, you can switch to 100% carbon-free operation with our engine conversion package.
A fuel-flexible pure hydrogen power plant that can run on hydrogen or natural gas.
Runs on 100% hydrogen and enables carbon-free power generation from the start. Our fuel-flexible technology enables you to still blend in natural gas and operate on natural gas only.
1. Proven technology
The Wärtsilä 31 engine platform has clocked up over one million running hours and over 1000 MW of installed power.
2. A strong track record
The hydrogen power plant solution has been developed based on more than 60 years’ experience of introducing alternative fuels to the market and developing a large portfolio of fuel capabilities and fuel-flexible power plant concepts. Wärtsilä has been working with pure hydrogen concepts since 2021.
3. Extensive engine conversion experience
Wärtsilä has successfully converted over 100+ engines to run on new fuels.
4. A safe and reliable solution
The Wärtsilä 31 hydrogen power plant holds TÜV SÜD certification, demonstrating its safety and reliability.
5. The optimal technology for balancing
Wärtsilä’s hydrogen power plant solutions are highly efficient and have extremely fast ramp times with no minimum up or downtime so you can use valuable green hydrogen fuel in the most optimal and efficient way.
Wärtsilä’s 31 hydrogen engine power plant concept and has been certified by TÜV SÜD – a leading global provider of testing, certification, auditing and advisory services – demonstrating our commitment to quality and safety. Watch our video to learn more about how quality and safety aspects are being taken in consideration in our hydrogen power plant concept.
