© iStock/smirkdingo

Supercharging Germany’s hydrogen infrastructure

Hydrogen is seen as a key enabling technology for decarbonising the industrial, transport and energy sectors. The Federal cabinet has now adopted the draft of the Hydrogen Acceleration Act, which will considerably speed up the rollout and expansion of hydrogen infrastructure.

Hydrogen is seen as key for the long-term success of the energy transition. Green hydrogen and its derivatives such as ammonia and methanol have the potential to considerably reduce carbon emissions in energy-intensive industries and the transport sector, particularly in areas where greater efficiency and the direct use of renewable energy will not be enough. Hydrogen can also help ensure a secure supply of electricity.

The Hydrogen Acceleration Act is to deliver faster, more streamlined and digital permitting and procurement procedures for hydrogen infrastructure. It covers projects along the entire supply chain – from generation, imports and transport all the way to storage. These include for example onshore and offshore electrolysers, facilities for the import of hydrogen and its derivatives, storage, cables, and plants for the production of synthetic fuels that will help boost decarbonisation, especially in the shipping and aviation sectors.

Federal Minister Katherina Reiche commented on the cabinet decision of 1 October by saying: “The rollout of hydrogen infrastructure is a central requirement for the hydrogen ramp-up”. 

^{Clear deadlines, digitisation, and expedited procurement procedures}

The draft act seeks to introduce tools that will considerably speed up administrative procedures, including clear deadlines, detailed provisions on digitisation and expedited procurement. It also facilitates the extraction of natural hydrogen. 

Under the new act, hydrogen infrastructure will be defined as ‘in the overriding public interest’, which is key for the permitting process. This means that the hydrogen ramp-up is a priority in the authorities’ decision-making processes, which makes it easier to issue permits. The public water supply and the hydrological balance continue to be ensured.

In addition to this, the Federal Government had adopted a wide range of acceleration measures for hydrogen storage systems under the Geothermal Energy Acceleration Act on 6 August.