The UK and Germany have signed an agreement to help accelerate the development of an international hydrogen industry.
This will set the UK and Germany up to be at the cutting edge of the international hydrogen industry.
Signed today at the UK Embassy in Berlin by Minister for Energy Efficiency and Green Finance Lord Callanan and Federal Republic of Germany’s State Secretary for Energy Philip Nimmermann – the Joint Declaration of Intent will see the UK and Germany work together to underpin the international trade in hydrogen.
What does an international hydrogen industry look like?
The UK and Germany will accelerate the role of low-carbon hydrogen in their nations’ energy mix, showing the world how to expand new, net zero-friendly markets.
As part of a new international hydrogen industry, they committed to further advancing groundbreaking and renewable hydrogen technologies, supporting jobs and low-carbon investment.
The partnership follows significant investment by both countries in developing hydrogen as an alternative fuel. In the UK, the government supports new low-carbon hydrogen production with capital from the £240m Net Zero Hydrogen Fund and revenue support from the Hydrogen Production Business Model.
In Germany, the government is also supporting the implementation of the National Hydrogen Strategy with funding from the Climate and Transformation Fund, providing a push for the ramp-up of an international hydrogen industry.
It will also further boost the move towards net zero emissions by 2050 and the energy security of both countries, moving away from fossil fuels and towards cleaner, more secure, diversified alternatives.
Helping the UK and Germany achieve net zero
The leaders agreed five pillars of collaboration:
- Accelerating the deployment of hydrogen projects for industry and consumers
- Establishing international leadership on hydrogen markets, setting safety 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
Providing supportive environments, the countries will discuss safety standards that can be used internationally to establish reliable, stable markets for a sustainable, low-carbon international hydrogen industry, particularly from renewables.
Germany’s State Secretary for Energy, Philip Nimmermann, said: “Hydrogen is of the highest importance for us to meet our goals regarding emission reduction.
“Also, it is a great business opportunity. I am looking forward to a successful partnership.”
The agreement will further help the UK and Germany reach their goals of net zero emissions by 2050 and secure a reliable energy supply for economic and energy security purposes, recognising the shifting geopolitical landscape.
“The UK and Germany have a proud track record when it comes to green energy, and today’s Hydrogen Partnership reinforces that commitment,” stated Steve Scrimshaw, VP of Siemens Energy UK&I and a member of the UK Government’s Hydrogen Advisory Council and the Green Jobs Delivery Group.
“Ramping up the international hydrogen industry will take time. Closer cooperation between countries such as the UK and Germany will help accelerate the needed scale and pace.”
