© iStock/smirkdingo

Germany toughens up its plans

At the end of July, the Federal Cabinet adopted an update of Germany’s National Hydrogen Strategy. This recast sends a strong signal for the next phase of Germany’s hydrogen ramp-up and its path to climate neutrality. The key details at a glance.

Since the end of July, the update of the National Hydrogen Strategy is a done deal. But what is this update all about? The updated National Hydrogen Strategy sets out the framework for the production, import, transport and possible uses of hydrogen for the coming years. In the climate-neutral energy system of the future, hydrogen produced using green electricity in particular will be the most essential ingredient. In the first phase of the market ramp-up for a hydrogen economy, the focus has primarily been on research and demonstration. The second phase, now set to begin with the launch of the updated strategy, will be on building up large-scale production facilities. On top of this, particularly energy-intensive sectors – especially industry – are also to be converted to using climate-friendly hydrogen.

The first goal of the updated Hydrogen Strategy is an accelerated market ramp-up of hydrogen, which is also the basis of the first edition of the strategy from 2020. The level of ambition along the entire value chain is massively increasing. Increasing the electrolysis capacity for hydrogen production to at least ten gigawatts by 2030 is to ensure that hydrogen and its derivatives will be available in sufficiently large quantities. The remaining demand can be covered by imports.

Another declared goal of the work programme is for Germany to become a lead provider of hydrogen technologies by 2030. German suppliers are to expand their technological leadership and to be able to offer the entire value chain of hydrogen technologies from production (e.g. electrolysers) to the various applications (e.g. fuel cell technology).

For all parts of this plan to succeed, suitable framework conditions are needed, including efficient planning and approval procedures, uniform standards and certification systems, and a well-equipped administration coordinated at all levels.

To view the updated National Hydrogen Strategy spanning over 30 pages, please click here.