Germany’s government has adopted a strategy to import hydrogen as a means of securing sustainable energy supply. The move is in line with the government’s plan to create alternatives to fossil fuel for large swathes of German industry.

So-called green hydrogen, which is produced by water electrolysis using renewable electricity, can be instrumental in the transition to a lower carbon economy.

The strategy documents how and from where hydrogen will be sourced. It also details transport routes and pipelines as well as how trade will be organised and certified. Reuters reports that the information is meant to serve as a signal to potential suppliers.

Reuters also quotes as follows a statement from the Economy Ministry:

“The import strategy is a major building block of Germany’s hydrogen policy and complements the involvement of the government in the domestic market ramp-up.”

To reach its goal of climate neutrality, Germany expects it will need between 95 and 120 terawatt hours (TWh) of hydrogen per year by 2030 and 360-500 TWh by 2045. Imports are expected to cover 50-70% of those needs.

Commenting on EnBW’s plans to invest one billion euros in Germany’s hydrogen grid, which is expected to start commercial operations by 2032, EnBW board member Dirk Guesewell said, “The hydrogen core network is the entry point into the hydrogen economy of the future and therefore the prerequisite for the complete decarbonisation of the German economy and the achievement of climate goals.”