Germany, Algeria sign MoU for future hydrogen supplies

• Two countries to establish a bilateral hydrogen task force
• Germany, EU seeking to import renewable hydrogen from Algeria
• 4m tonne/year minimum Southern H2 Corridor running by 2030

LONDON (ICIS)–Germany and Algeria have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU), with the two countries set to establish a bilateral hydrogen task force as part of the energy partnership, the German government announced 8 February.

The Algerian-German hydrogen task force is intended to promote conditions for production, storage, and transport of renewable hydrogen and its derivatives.

Moreover, Algeria is to be supported in the development of hydrogen infrastructure and renewable hydrogen production.

GERMAN HYDROGEN STRATEGY

Germany is forecast to be Europe’s largest hydrogen demand centre, with 55TWh/year currently used in the country, with the demand forecast to reach as high as 130TWh/year by 2030, according to the country’s hydrogen strategy.

However, as much as 70% of the hydrogen due to be used in Germany is expected to be imported because domestic production is not expected to meet internal demand.

Imports are set to be a mixture of pipeline renewable hydrogen imports, and maritime flows of renewable ammonia delivered into ports in both Germany and the Netherlands.

As a result, Germany has signed several MoUs with multiple global partners to facilitate flows of renewable hydrogen and its derivatives into the country, with some of these due to kick in before the end of the decade.

ALGERIA HYDROGEN POTENTIAL

Algeria is forecasting to produce 40TWh/year of renewable hydrogen by 2040 with the volumes due to be split between gaseous hydrogen via pipelines, liquefied hydrogen, and renewable hydrogen derivatives.

In the nearer term, the Southern H2 Corridor is due to be operational by 2030, forecast to be able to move at least 4m tonnes/year of hydrogen into Italy via Tunisia, by using mostly repurposed gas infrastructure.