The new German hydrogen strategy takes itself and the EU closer to the front of the pack, but to close the deal, European Commission Vice-President Maros Sefcovic is needed, writes Jorgo Chatzimarkakis.

At the release of Germany’s first hydrogen strategy in 2019/2020, the sector was still viewed as a niche technology, and there was no sense of urgency despite the early interest of many German firms.

Why? Cheap energy from Russia. The pandemic, and especially Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, dramatically altered the landscape.

The 2019 strategy, which sparked the first tender investment considerations, had to be radically and fundamentally revised.

The new version now adopted by government is impressive, expanding the list of hydrogen colours for investment and cementing Germany’s position as one of the outstanding players in the field of hydrogen, not only in Europe but globally.