Hamburg poised to become Germany's hydrogen hub by 2045
Key Ideas
- Fraunhofer CML study reveals Hamburg's potential to supply 10-18% of Germany's hydrogen demand by 2045.
- Port of Hamburg to serve as a crucial transhipment center for energy sources, covering 47% of Germany's seaward import demand.
- Recommendations include building new liquid bulk terminals, creating transport infrastructure for hydrogen distribution, and connecting to the European pipeline network.
- Hamburg's role in green energy imports highlighted with plans for the 'Hamburg Green Hydrogen Hub' and the Hamburg Hydrogen Industrial Network.
A study conducted by the Fraunhofer Centre for Maritime Logistics and Services (CML) revealed that Hamburg has the potential to become Germany's hydrogen hub by 2045, supplying a significant portion of the national demand for green hydrogen and its derivatives. The study, commissioned by the Ministry of Economics and funded by the Hamburg Climate Plan, highlighted the city's suitability for accommodating the production and import of hydrogen, ammonia, methanol, and e-fuels. The Port of Hamburg is expected to play a crucial role in this transition, with infrastructure capable of handling the import volumes and production requirements forecasted for the future. The study emphasized the need for new infrastructure, such as liquid bulk terminals, to support the rising production and seaborne imports of hydrogen-based energy sources. Additionally, recommendations were made to build new transport infrastructure, maintain existing facilities, and connect to the European pipeline network to ensure efficient distribution of green energy. Hamburg's initiatives like the 'Hamburg Green Hydrogen Hub' and the 'Hamburg Hydrogen Industrial Network' are key steps towards establishing the city as a leading player in green energy imports for Germany.