UK, Germany ink joint declaration on hydrogen collaboration

LONDON (ICIS)–The UK and Germany have signed a declaration to work together to underpin international trade in hydrogen, the UK energy department said in a statement on 26 September.

The agreement was signed in Berlin by UK energy efficiency minister Lord Callanan and  German energy secretary Philip Nimmermann.

The two countries will “accelerate the role of low-carbon hydrogen in their nations’ energy mix, showing the world how to expand new net zero-friendly markets”, the statement said.

Under the agreement, hydrogen technologies should become “cheaper and more accessible”, the statement added.

Five key pillars of collaboration were agreed:

• Accelerating the development of hydrogen projects for industry and consumers
• Establishing international leadership on hydrogen markets, setting safety standards and regulations to aid trade
• Research and innovation on hydrogen from production to end use
• Promoting trade for hydrogen plus related goods, technologies and services
• Joint market analysis to support planning and investment by government and industry.

Both Germany and the UK are forecast to see strong hydrogen demand in the coming years, with  ICIS data showing demand will reach 88TWh in Germany and 24TWh in the UK by 2030.

While the UK is seeking to produce all its own hydrogen with potential for exports from Scotland, Germany will import the bulk of its hydrogen requirements from other countries.

Germany expects to import between 50%-70% of its hydrogen via a mix of pipeline flows from nearby countries and maritime ammonia from other global regions.