Hydrogen technology could give Germany a new leading industry. Jorgo Chatzimarkakis, CEO of the European hydrogen association Hydrogen Europe, explains how Germany can win this race and what challenges lie along the way.

How can Germany take a leading role in hydrogen technology and create a new leading industry?

With the update of the national hydrogen strategy at the end of July 2023, the chances that a leading hydrogen industry can be built from scratch in Germany have increased massively. Germany will also continue to establish itself worldwide in the field of leading hydrogen and fuel cell technologies. In nine years, Germany will also have the opportunity to use hydrogen not only in industry, but also in other sectors such as mobility and heat. But there are a few suggestions for improvement: Better integration of the H2Global Germany funding instrument into the EU hydrogen bank, which will be in place in the fall. Purchase agreements for temporarily nationalized companies such as Uniper to ensure security of supply. Massive reduction in IPCEI (Important Project of Common European Interest) approval times at EU and federal level. Consideration of biogenic hydrogen and waste-to-hydrogen. Initiation of global sustainability criteria in the production of hydrogen. We must also move faster in the creation of a European harmonized system of certification of sustainable hydrogen.