Import strategy for hydrogen and hydrogen derivatives

Despite numerous projects that contribute to the development of large electrolysis capacities in Germany and especially in Lower Saxony, Germany will be dependent on hydrogen imports in the future in order to cover the increasing demand for hydrogen for industry, mobility and the power plant sector. In order to approach this process in as structured a manner as possible, the German government has now presented its import strategy for hydrogen and hydrogen derivatives.

As part of the import strategy that has now been presented, the German government assumes a hydrogen or hydrogen derivative requirement of 95-130 TWh in 2030, which will be needed primarily in the steel industry, the basic materials and petrochemical industries, in mobility (especially shipping and aviation) and in the power plant sector. Demand is expected to rise to 360-500 TWh for hydrogen and 200 TWh for derivatives in 2045.

As the demand cannot be met by domestic production alone, the German government forecasts that around 50-70% of the demand will have to be imported. A corresponding import strategy was discussed by the Federal Cabinet today. The aim is to ensure a stable, secure, sustainable and diversified supply of hydrogen and hydrogen derivatives in the future.

The most important points of the H2 import strategy now presented at a glance:

• The majority of hydrogen imports are to be transported by pipeline for cost reasons.
• Imported hydrogen derivatives are to be transported to Germany by ship and used directly wherever possible. At the same time, it is emphasized that it will be necessary to convert the derivatives back into hydrogen to cover demand.
• The pipeline-based import infrastructure and import terminals are to be set up in parallel.
• Hydrogen is to be imported by pipeline in the short to medium term and also in liquid form by ship in the medium to long term.
• The German government is relying on a variety of products for hydrogen derivatives. In order to ramp up import volumes in the short term, ammonia, methanol and synthetic fuels in particular are to be imported by ship and synthetic methane by natural gas pipeline.
• A large number of partner countries and regions, with some of which explicit hydrogen agreements already exist or joint hydrogen projects are being carried out, can be considered for the diversification of supply sources. These include Norway, Namibia, Egypt and others.
• There should be certification of hydrogen imports to ensure sustainability standards and transparency regarding the properties of the hydrogen products traded
• The measures mentioned in the strategy are to be flanked by targeted research and development measures.

With the long-awaited publication of the hydrogen strategy, a further building block has been laid for the development and ramp-up of the hydrogen economy. The hydrogen strategy has a signal effect in two respects: on the one hand, it offers acceptance and thus planning security for players who want to realize export projects in partner countries. On the other hand, it also sends a signal to the German economy that sufficient hydrogen and derivatives will be available for the transformation in the future.

You can find the entire strategy here: