The Annual Meeting of the Northern German Hydrogen Strategy in Hanover
On December 16, 2024, the annual meeting of the Northern German Hydrogen Strategy took place at the Lower Saxony Ministry of Economics, Transport, Building, and Digitalization in Hanover. The event provided a comprehensive overview of the hydrogen ramp-up in Germany, highlighting both the progress made and the ongoing challenges.
Progress in the Hydrogen Ramp-Up
The positive news first: The core network plans for hydrogen pipelines in Germany show significant progress. The planned length of the hydrogen pipelines has more than doubled, representing a major step towards a comprehensive hydrogen infrastructure. Funding programs such as H2Global and climate protection contracts are giving a substantial boost to the production and use of green hydrogen.
Sector transformation is also making strides. Particularly the industry, chemical sector, and mobility sector are driving the demand for green hydrogen. Initial pilot projects in these areas give cause for optimism and demonstrate the potential for broader application.
Challenges and Obstacles
Despite these positive developments, there are significant challenges hindering progress. A major issue is the investment backlog: Of the 119 planned projects, only 16 have received final approval, representing only 3% of the planned capacity. This indicates that urgent measures are needed to accelerate investments.
Another problem is the cost explosion. Despite government subsidies, green hydrogen remains expensive, and many projects are struggling with economic viability. This presents a considerable hurdle that must be overcome to successfully advance the hydrogen ramp-up.
The network expansion is also lagging behind expectations. Although planned networks are making progress, the actual construction is far behind the ambitious goals. This delays the widespread use of hydrogen and slows the transition to sustainable energy supply.
Conclusion and Outlook
The hydrogen ramp-up in Germany is currently not the "green hydrogen express" that many desire. Rather, we are currently moving on a narrow-gauge railway. To increase the pace, enhanced investments, reliable certifications, and innovative ideas are required. Only in this way can we build the necessary infrastructure and sustainably stimulate the demand for green hydrogen.
Nevertheless, enthusiasm for hydrogen remains unbroken.
