Germany submitted a hydrogen import strategy and this was recently approved by Berlin. This strategy involves bringing an estimated 2.73 million tonnes of low-carbon hydrogen into the country by a deadline of 2030.

The German Government’s updated hydrogen strategy which was released in 2023, laid out an expectation of 50-70% of its 2030 95-130 TWh hydrogen demand to be met by imports. This demand would represent up to 2.3 million tonnes.

Terms of the strategy include the support of pure hydrogen, ammonia, methanol, naphtha, along with other carriers like liquid organic hydrogen carriers (LOHC). The support of these is due to the aid they provide in helping the nation meet its import requirements.

Alongside the support, the strategy also mentions the need for Germany to have room to work with other European nations on regulatory issues, as well as production potential and infrastructure.

The Federal Government suggested that ‘hydrogen pipelines could meet the majority of its import demand, with ship carrying hydrogen derivatives mainly set to enable imports “from regions that cannot be connected by pipeline for technical and economic reasons.”’

The strategy was approved on the 24th of July and the German Cabinet stated that ‘by 2045, the country’s demand could increase to 500TWh of hydrogen and about 200TWh of hydrogen derivatives.’ The announcement stated, “The aim to diversify the supply sources as widely as possible.”

Federal Minister for Economic Affairs and Climate Protection, Robert Habeck, commented on how the import strategy offers the framework to meet the large import demands, “It sends a clear signal to our partners abroad: Germany expects a large and stable demand for hydrogen and derivatives and is a reliable partner and target market for hydrogen products.”