First published by the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero and Lord Callanan, The UK and Germany has announced a partnership to advance hydrogen technology and trade, aiming to accelerate the global growth of sustainable hydrogen solutions while bolstering their energy security and pursuit of net-zero emissions by 2050.
The United Kingdom and Germany have forged a significant partnership aimed at expediting the growth of the International hydrogen industry.
The Joint Declaration of Intent, signed at the UK Embassy in Berlin, brings together Minister for Energy Efficiency and Green Finance Lord Callanan from the UK and Federal Republic of Germany’s State Secretary for Energy Philip Nimmermann. Its primary objective is to bolster the global trade in hydrogen and promote the integration of low-carbon hydrogen into their respective energy portfolios.
Both nations have invested substantially in hydrogen as an alternative fuel source. In the UK, the government is supporting low-carbon hydrogen production through the Net Zero Hydrogen Fund and the Hydrogen Production Business Model. Similarly, Germany is advancing its National Hydrogen Strategy with funding from the Climate and Transformation Fund. These investments are aimed at catalysing the growth of the hydrogen market.
The partnership encompasses five key pillars of collaboration:
- Accelerating the deployment of hydrogen projects for industry and consumers.
- Establishing international leadership on hydrogen markets, safety, and regulations to facilitate trade.
- Research and innovation across the entire hydrogen value chain.
- Promoting trade in hydrogen and related goods, technologies, and services.
- Joint market analysis to support planning and investment by government and industry.
This collaboration is expected to make hydrogen technologies more cost-effective and accessible, ultimately reducing energy costs for consumers. Private investment in hydrogen technology and projects is also anticipated to increase as industry stakeholders benefit from trade opportunities between the two countries.
Additionally, discussions will focus on establishing internationally recognised safety standards, creating stable markets for sustainable low-carbon hydrogen, particularly from renewable sources.
Stakeholders from both countries, including Siemens Energy, ITM Power, Uniper, and RWE Generation, have expressed their support for this partnership and its potential to drive the growth of a sustainable hydrogen economy in Europe and beyond.
