Germany Amps Up Green Hydrogen Development Strategy
In a significant stride towards a cleaner and more sustainable future, Germany is spearheading the global economy's focus on green hydrogen. This comprehensive approach aims to address the challenges posed by climate change across various sectors.
Germany forecasts a demand for hydrogen to range between 95 and 130 terawatt-hours (tWH) by 2030, with 50 to 70% of this demand anticipated to be fulfilled through imports. The country's dedication to sustainable development and the decarbonisation of numerous sectors is evident in the establishment of the Green Hydrogen Fund.
The Green Hydrogen Fund, a key component of Germany's commitment, supports the development of cutting-edge technologies like electrolysers, catalysts, fuel cells, and infrastructure such as hydrogen production and refueling stations. Notable recipients of this funding include Lhyfe, a green hydrogen producer operating four production sites in France and Germany, which recently raised €2.5 million through crowdfunding to support these sites.
Germany's increased support for the European Investment Bank's Green Hydrogen Fund is further demonstrated through its contributions to the European Hydrogen Bank. This bank, linked to the broader hydrogen strategy involving European Investment Bank initiatives, plans to allocate around €1.1 billion across three hydrogen production topics. Germany has confirmed contributions to auctions designed to promote renewable fuels and electrolytic low-carbon hydrogen, including support for maritime sector hydrogen production.
The Compact with Africa meeting is a significant step towards stronger cooperation between Africa and Europe in the realm of green hydrogen. This meeting is a testament to Germany's dedication to sustainable development and the decarbonisation of numerous sectors of the global economy. Chancellor Olaf Scholz, during the Compact with Africa meeting, stated that the conference is the starting point for stronger, reliable cooperation between Africa and Europe to realize climate-friendly supply based on green hydrogen.
President Werner Hoyer and the German Ministry of Economic Affairs aim to empower nations to integrate green hydrogen into their climate action plans. Scholz also promised that Germany would be reliable buyers of green hydrogen produced, further emphasizing the country's active pursuit of a stable supply of green hydrogen. The collaboration between Germany and the EIB's development arm, EIB Global, is a sign of Germany's commitment to this pursuit.
The Green Hydrogen Fund is also designed to provide technical assistance to countries undertaking green hydrogen projects. This technical assistance is crucial in ensuring the successful implementation of green hydrogen projects worldwide, contributing to a cleaner and more sustainable future for all.
- Germany's Green Hydrogen Fund, a cornerstone of its commitments, encourages innovation in technologies like electrolysers, catalysts, fuel cells, and hydrogen production infrastructure.
- To address climate-change challenges, the country foresees green hydrogen as a crucial component in renewable-energy transition, anticipating a demand of 95-130 tWH by 2030.
- The European Investment Bank's Green Hydrogen Fund received increased support from Germany, with contributions to auctions promoting renewable fuels and low-carbon hydrogen production.
- In a push for international cooperation, Chancellor Olaf Scholz emphasized climate-friendly supply based on green hydrogen, during the Compact with Africa meeting, setting a new chapter for Africa-Europe collaboration.
- Hydrogen projects in other countries receive technical assistance from Germany's Green Hydrogen Fund, essential for ensuring successful implementation and a greener future for the global environment.
