Germany's Ambitious Leap: Unveiling the New Hydrogen Imports Strategy
Key Ideas
  • Germany's national hydrogen strategy aims for climate neutrality by 2045, envisioning clean hydrogen as a key player in the energy mix to meet rising demand.
  • The hydrogen import strategy focuses on efficient methods like pipeline and ship transport from European regions with high production capacities.
  • To ensure success, Germany must carefully review clean hydrogen demand targets, prioritize cost-effective import methods, and coordinate actions at the EU level.
  • A holistic approach emphasizing emission-reduction merits over colors of hydrogen production is crucial for timely market entry with competitive prices.
Germany has recently adopted an ambitious hydrogen imports strategy following the revised national hydrogen strategy in July 2023. The revised strategy sets high goals for clean hydrogen consumption, aiming for between 95–130 TWh by 2030. With domestic sources limited by clean energy capacity, Germany anticipates up to 70% of the demand must be met by imports, leading to the development of a dedicated framework of measures. The import strategy focuses on pipeline and ship transport from European regions with high hydrogen production capacities. While pipeline transport is seen as the most efficient method over short distances, cross-border trade within Europe and with neighboring countries will be essential. Collaboration with countries like Denmark, Norway, and the UK is already in progress, with plans for corridor pipelines from the North Sea and Baltic Sea regions. Ammonia is highlighted as the most efficient shipping-based import method, primarily for industrial processes and potential future transportation fuel. The strategy also explores other shipping methods like methanol and LOHC but emphasizes the importance of avoiding additional conversion steps to maintain cost-efficiency. The strategy includes plans for importing both 'green' renewable and low-carbon hydrogen in the near term to establish a clean hydrogen market. Financing is primarily allocated for renewable hydrogen imports, with some support for low-carbon options meeting emissions thresholds. To increase the strategy's success, a holistic approach focusing on emission-reduction merits is suggested. Emphasizing efficiency and cost-effectiveness in import methods and prioritizing a coordinated approach at the EU level are essential for Germany's hydrogen ambitions.
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