Economic Affairs Minister Peter Altmaier and Abdulaziz bin Salman Al Saud, Minister of Energy of Saudi Arabia, signed a Memorandum of Understanding establishing cooperation on hydrogen between Germany and Saudi Arabia.
The agreement, which is set in the context of the German-Saudi Energy Dialogue, underscores the commitment of both countries to close cooperation regarding the production, processing, use and transport of green hydrogen.
“Germany will need to import climate-neutral hydrogen if we are to achieve the targets of the Paris Climate Agreement and to make our energy transition a success. As we launch the German-Saudi hydrogen cooperation, we are delighted to be laying the foundation for close collaboration in this area with an important international partner.”
Federal Minister Altmaier.
In its hydrogen strategy, the Federal Government has identified a need for 90 110 TWh of climate-neutral hydrogen by 2030, a large part of which will have to be covered by imports. In view of favorable conditions for the generation of renewable electricity, Saudi Arabia has a good chance in the long term of becoming a major green hydrogen exporter.
Within the framework of their hydrogen cooperation, Germany and Saudi Arabia seek to implement specific hydrogen projects, for example at the NEOM site. Further to this, a road map is to be established for the mutual sharing of expertise in collaboration with the private sector on the issues of technology, business and regulation.
German technology providers are working to develop world-class solutions along the entire hydrogen value chain, including ways of converting hydrogen to synthetic fuels such as e-fuels for aviation.
As it implements the German-Saudi hydrogen cooperation, the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy is being supported by the Riyadh-based German-Saudi Arabian Liaison Office for Economic Affairs (GESALO) and Guidehouse.
