German government introduces new regulations

On October 1, a regulation allowing the generation of green hydrogen in the German North Sea went into effect.

With the new regulation, the German government makes it easier to conduct hydrogen production tests in the German exclusive economic zone utilizing offshore power, such as offshore wind.

“Sea-based green hydrogen generation is a real future issue with a lot of room for innovation. Offshore hydrogen generation has the potential to contribute significantly to Germany’s decarbonization as an industrial location, according to German Economy Minister Peter Altmaier.

A pilot initiative to promote offshore hydrogen generation has been established in Germany. Over the next four years, the H2Mare project, which will get € 100 million in financing from the research ministry, seeks to achieve “a considerable cost advantage in the generation of large amounts of hydrogen,” according to the ministry.

Although “it is not yet obvious in the assessment criteria what role the idea plays logistics to transport hydrogen to land,” said Karina Würtz, head of the Offshore Wind Energy Foundation, the new legislation is a “essential and significant step” on the road to offshore hydrogen generation.

“Looking ahead to the next federal administration, it is apparent that more and more actions, such as binding expansion objectives and adequate designation of regions for green hydrogen generation, are now urgently required,” he added.