The project aims to establish a Europe-wide network of decentralised synthetic fuel production plants for NATO armed forces. Several hundred facilities are envisaged across Europe, each with electrolysis capacity of up to 50 MW and annual e-fuel output of about 5,000–7,000 tonnes.

The network is intended to strengthen defense energy resilience, sovereign fuel capability, and operational readiness. Under the collaboration, Rheinmetall’s Power-to-X expertise will be combined with ITM Power’s electrolyser systems and know-how, with the initial focus on the UK.

The companies said synthetic fuels are expected to play a critical role in defense and other mission-critical sectors where electrification is not viable and secure, reliable fuel supply is essential. They also described Giga PtX as a potential growth market for large-scale hydrogen production technologies, linked to increasing focus on resilient and independent energy supply in defense applications.

Dennis Schulz, CEO of ITM Power, said: “Our collaboration with Rheinmetall aligns the energy transition with national security priorities. Reliable access to fuel is fundamental to defence capability, and decentralised production offers a structurally more resilient alternative to traditional supply chains. The Giga PtX project represents a repeatable deployment opportunity for large-scale electrolysers, while directly supporting sovereign fuel capability and operational readiness. By combining Rheinmetall’s system integration capability and defence experience with our leading electrolyser technology, together we are well-positioned to deliver scalable solutions.”

Shena Britzen, Head of Hydrogen Program at Rheinmetall AG, said: “e-Fuels are more than a technological solution – they are a strategic necessity. With Giga PtX, we are creating a scalable network that strengthens energy autonomy for Europe’s defence forces. What matters is not just energy security, but the ability to act independently – in logistics, in operations, and in times of crisis.”

Source:  Hydrogentechworld