Germany's Import Strategy for Hydrogen: A Necessary Step Towards Meeting Demand
Key Ideas
- Germany's Ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate Protection approved an import strategy for hydrogen due to the country's unfavorable conditions for production, aiming to cover 50-70% of the expected 2030 demand through imports.
- The strategy is seen as a positive step towards ensuring a stable domestic supply of hydrogen and its derivatives, providing investment security for production in partner countries and infrastructure development.
- Industry response has been largely positive, with some calling for a more reliable indication of growing demand in Germany and the establishment of an international certification system for hydrogen to foster a global market.
- Experts believe the import strategy is crucial in complementing Germany's national hydrogen strategy and positioning the country as a significant player in the hydrogen market, signaling reliability to international partners.
The German Government has approved an import strategy for hydrogen and its derivatives to meet the national demand, which is forecasted to reach 95–130 terawatt-hours (TWh) by 2030. With local conditions not conducive to production, the strategy aims to cover a significant portion of this demand through imports. The Ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate Protection highlighted the necessity of the import strategy to ensure a sufficient flow of hydrogen in the country. Federal Minister Robert Habeck mentioned that a large share of Germany's hydrogen demand will need to be met through imports, signaling the country's reliance on international partners for hydrogen products. The government's support for a diverse range of imports, including hydrogen derivatives like ammonia and methanol, showcases a strategic approach to securing the hydrogen supply chain. Industry players, including Javier Cavada from Mitsubishi Power, have praised the government's forward-looking planning and investment security provided by the import strategy. While the industry response has been predominantly positive, lobby groups like Zukunft Gas have emphasized the importance of indicating a reliable growing demand in Germany and establishing an international certification system for hydrogen. Overall, the import strategy is viewed as a crucial step in complementing Germany's efforts in the hydrogen sector and solidifying its position in the global hydrogen market.