RWE AG and Equinor ASA have agreed to work on a road map to phase out coal in Germany, led by a combination of more natural gas-fired power plants and a hydrogen production hub fed by Norway’s reserves.

In a memorandum of understanding (MOU), RWE and Equinor agreed to collaborate on a plan that could assist in Germany’s plan to replace coal in the power generation mixture with low-carbon fuels by 2030.

“Through this collaboration we will strengthen the long-term energy security for Europe’s leading industrial country while at the same time offer a viable route to a necessary energy transition for hard to abate industries,” Equinor CEO Anders Opedal said. “The collaboration has the potential to develop Norway into a key supplier of hydrogen to Germany and...