In a plant comprising a first apparatus for the electrochemical or electrothermal production of hydrogen, which produces a first hydrogen stream; a second apparatus for producing hydrogen from a hydrocarbon by steam reforming, partial oxidation or dehydrogenation, which produces a second hydrogen stream; a hydrogen conduit or a hydrogen consumer to which both the first hydrogen stream and the second hydrogen stream are fed; and a control device which matches the production of hydrogen in the first apparatus and in the second apparatus in such a way that the total amount of first hydrogen stream and second hydrogen stream corresponds to a predetermined value, excess electric energy can be efficiently utilized by operating the apparatus for the electrochemical or electrothermal production of hydrogen with excess electric energy.