Advancing Industry Decarbonisation: A Look at Germany's Progress and Future Challenges
Key Ideas
- Progress has been made in industry decarbonisation in Germany through initiatives like CCfDs, IPCEIs, CO2 storage, circular economy, and hydrogen import strategies.
- De-industrialization in Germany may not necessarily occur as only a small portion of highly energy-intensive sectors are impacted by decarbonisation.
- Supporting steel decarbonisation projects, like green steel plants with natural gas and green hydrogen, is crucial for the future of the global steel industry.
- Relocating energy-intensive processes to areas with cheap green energy and restructuring value chains within Europe can help avoid dependencies and ensure competitiveness.
The outgoing German government has made significant strides in industry decarbonisation through various initiatives such as CCfDs, IPCEIs, CO2 storage advancements, circular economy strategies, and a hydrogen import strategy. These efforts have been further reinforced by recent developments like the awarding of the first green hydrogen import contract to an ammonia project in Egypt funded by the German government, indicating progress in the right direction. When considering the impact on German industry, it becomes clear that only a small fraction of highly energy-intensive sectors, such as steel, chemical, and cement industries, are significantly affected by the energy transition. It is argued that relocating some energy-intensive activities to regions with cheap green energy while maintaining specialized value chains in Germany can mitigate the risk of de-industrialization. The need for continued support for steel decarbonisation projects, transitioning to green steel plants with natural gas and green hydrogen, is highlighted as crucial for the future of the global steel industry. By exploring options to diversify supply chains within Europe and beyond, policymakers can avoid dependencies and ensure competitiveness in the evolving global green energy markets. The broader shift towards renewable resources globally is expected to facilitate a more diverse and less concentrated market, reducing dependencies and fostering a more competitive landscape in the green energy sector.
Topics
Green Hydrogen
Renewable Resources
Global Energy Markets
German Economy
Industry Decarbonisation
European Partnerships
Green Steel Plants
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