HYDROGEN: BREAKTHROUGH OT POLITICAL STAGNATION UNDER THE NEW GOVERNMENT?
The 2025 Bundestag election is over, and with a CDU-SPD coalition, future energy policy is at a turning point. The question now: Will the hydrogen ramp-up be consistently pursued under this government, or will it get stuck between industrial policy interests and financing issues? Particularly, offshore hydrogen production is coming into focus – with enormous potential but also significant challenges.
Hydrogen Strategy Under CDU and SPD
Both governing parties have fundamentally endorsed hydrogen during the election campaign – albeit with different priorities:
- CDU promotes a technology-open strategy and intends to use not only green hydrogen but also blue hydrogen, which is produced from natural gas with CO₂ capture. Additionally, the existing gas infrastructure is to be adapted for hydrogen transport.
- SPD focuses more on green hydrogen, produced via electrolysis using renewable electricity. At the same time, industrial funding programs are to be expanded, and the ramp-up accelerated.
A key factor for the success of the hydrogen strategy will be offshore hydrogen production, which promises significant economic and ecological advantages through the direct use of offshore wind energy.
Offshore Hydrogen Production: Challenges and Potential
1. Regulatory Challenges and Approval Processes
One of the biggest hurdles for the ramp-up of offshore hydrogen production is the uncertainty surrounding approvals and regulatory frameworks. The initial application of the developed processes for implementing such projects is necessary, particularly regarding:
- Existing/adapted approval procedures for offshore hydrogen plants
- A support regime for scaling and market introduction
- Proof of ecological compatibility concerning filtrate, brine, waste heat utilization, and oxygen recovery
Without a practical regulatory framework, there is a risk of year-long delays that could hinder market development.
2. Safety Requirements
Offshore hydrogen production poses unique safety challenges, including:
- Explosion protection concepts and H₂ monitoring to ensure the safe operation of offshore wind farms
- Secure storage and transport, especially during reconversion to electricity
- Maintenance concepts for harsh offshore conditions, as repairs at sea are more complex and expensive
A well-thought-out safety concept is essential to minimize risks and secure investments.
3. Technical Maturity and Service Concepts
The success of offshore hydrogen production depends on the technical reliability of the facilities. Critical aspects include:
- Durability and resilience to offshore conditions
- Dynamic stresses due to weather and operational modes
- Robust, low-maintenance systems to reduce service costs
A particular bottleneck is the shortage of trained offshore hydrogen personnel, as this technology is still in the development phase.
4. Economic Advantages of Offshore Hydrogen Production
Compared to onshore production, offshore hydrogen generation offers considerable benefits:
- Omitting electrical-grid-congestion onshore and reducing power curtailment offshore
- Direct use of offshore wind energy without power grid losses
- Reduced grid fees through direct injection into pipelines
- Lower land use and conservation of groundwater and drinking water resources
- Scalability through large production capacities in the North Sea
In the long term, offshore hydrogen could help reduce hydrogen prices and enable an independent energy supply.
Demonstration Project for Offshore Hydrogen Production
To test feasibility, a 10 MW demonstration project is planned at the offshore wind farm Alpha Ventus. Its objectives include:
- Testing technical concepts under offshore conditions
- Validating efficiency and economic viability
- Developing robust installation and maintenance strategies
- Experimenting with innovative concepts such as underwater cooling or autonomous operations
A successful demonstration project is a crucial step toward commercialization.
5. Transport and Infrastructure Strategies
A central issue for offshore hydrogen is the transport of the generated gas. Pipelines offer significant advantages:
- Direct transport of large quantities without complex intermediate storage
- Pipelines as energy storage to balance peak loads
- Interconnection of multiple offshore wind farms to ensure a stable supply
However, pipelines must be protected against external influences, as they represent critical infrastructure.
Future Prospects: A North Sea Offshore Hydrogen Network
A long-term scenario envisions the development of a cross-border hydrogen network in the North Sea. Hybrid interconnectors could link offshore wind farms from different countries and optimize energy distribution.
This would:
- Strengthen Europe's energy security
- Reduce dependence on fossil fuel imports
- Play a central role in the EU hydrogen strategy
Conclusion: Dynamic Expansion or Political Compromises?
The CDU-SPD coalition has the potential to significantly advance the hydrogen ramp-up – but this depends on a concrete implementation path. Will offshore hydrogen production be actively promoted, or will regulatory hurdles, funding gaps, and safety concerns prevent rapid expansion?
Will Germany become a global hydrogen pioneer, or will it once again fall short of its own climate targets?
Michael Berges is a Senior Project Manager and Quality Officer at ONP Management GmbH in Hamburg. With many years of experience in renewable energy and offshore projects, he leads innovative initiatives for integrating hydrogen technologies into offshore wind farms, such as NORTHSEA HYDROGEN (www.NorthseaHydrogen.de). His focus is on developing sustainable energy concepts and promoting hydrogen ramp-up in Germany.
