Germany updates its hydrogen strategy, targeting 10 GW of electrolysers by 2030

The German Federal Cabinet has agreed to update the National Hydrogen Strategy. The update encompasses measures that span the entire value chain and are planned for implementation at different timeframes. The main targets of these measures are to accelerate the market ramp-up of hydrogen and its derivatives, ensure sufficient hydrogen availability, establish an efficient hydrogen infrastructure, and promote hydrogen applications in various sectors.

To achieve these goals, the plan includes increasing domestic electrolysis capacity from 5 GW to at least 10 GW by 2030 and developing a robust hydrogen infrastructure, with a hydrogen start-up network spanning over 1,800 km in Germany and 4,500 km across Europe by 2027. The aim is to connect all major generation, import, and storage centres to relevant customers by 2030.

In addition to domestic production, Germany is actively working on an import strategy for hydrogen and its derivatives, collaborating with partner countries to ensure a reliable supply chain and committing to sustainability criteria aligned with global goals for sustainable development. Already, agreements have been reached, such as securing a long-term hydrogen supply from Norway.

Moreover, Germany aims to lead in hydrogen technologies by 2030, offering a complete value chain of hydrogen technologies, from production to various applications. To support the market ramp-up, coherent legal requirements at national, European, and international levels will be established, including streamlined planning and approval procedures, uniform standards, and well-coordinated administration.

In June 2023, France’s General Secretariat for Ecological Planning (SGPE) published a document setting out ecological planning objectives for the French energy sector between now and 2030. In terms of green hydrogen, there is a need to develop 10 GW of installed electrolysers by 2035, compared with the 6.5 GW planned for 2030.