Germany's Green Hydrogen Expansion: A Path to Energy Transition
Key Ideas
  • Germany aims to cover a significant portion of its energy needs with green hydrogen imports by mid-2030s, focusing on industrial sectors like steel and chemicals.
  • By 2035, hydrogen could meet 11.2% of Germany's total energy demand, leading to reduced greenhouse emissions and decreased fossil fuel dependency.
  • The study highlights the importance of pipeline imports from neighboring countries for a secure and cost-effective renewable hydrogen supply.
  • To achieve climate neutrality, Germany must quickly establish agreements on cost-sharing and future hydrogen demand assurances with involved countries and stakeholders.
Germany is looking to increase the usage of hydrogen as an energy source to reduce greenhouse emissions in sectors like steel and chemicals. A recent study by Agora Energiewende and Agora Industry think tanks revealed that Germany could potentially fulfill up to 100 terawatt-hours (TWh) of its annual energy requirements through green hydrogen imports by the mid-2030s. Currently, the country heavily relies on fossil fuel-based hydrogen production. By 2035, it is projected that hydrogen could cover over 11% of Germany's total energy demand. The study also emphasized the need for importing around 50% to 70% of the hydrogen due to limited renewable resources in the country. To achieve this, leveraging existing natural gas infrastructure in Europe will be crucial. The study identified potential hydrogen pipeline corridors from countries like Denmark, Norway, Sweden, and Finland in the North, while long-term plans include pipelines from Southern Europe, North Africa, and other European countries. The focus is on establishing a secure and cost-effective renewable hydrogen supply, necessitating agreements on cost-sharing and future demand assurances among involved parties. This strategic move is seen as a significant step towards achieving climate neutrality and reducing fossil fuel dependency.
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