Germany receives first hydrogen test delivery from United Arab Emirates

A first hydrogen test delivery from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has arrived in Germany. The shipment in the form of the hydrogen derivative ammonia reached the port of Hamburg, the economy ministry said in a press release, adding the delivery “is an important step in the intended development of a comprehensive hydrogen value chain” between Germany and the UAE. “The ammonia supplied will be used by the multi-metal producer Aurubis for test runs for the climate-neutral conversion of gas-intensive copper wire production, thus replacing fossil fuel in the long term,” the ministry said. The pilot shipment -- not yet green hydrogen produced from renewables -- was agreed during a visit by economy minister Robert Habeck to Abu Dhabi in March, and lays an important foundation for future deliveries, which will then consist of green hydrogen made with renewable electricity, according to the statement.

In the fight against climate change, hydrogen made with renewable electricity is seen as a key tool for decarbonising sectors with particularly stubborn emissions, such as heavy industry and aviation. Germany has set out to become a global leader in the associated hydrogen technologies, and the government has penned a National Hydrogen Strategy to fulfil these ambitions. It is estimated that the country’s hydrogen demand will rise to between 90 and 110 terawatt-hours (TWh) by 2030, most of which will have to be importedas Germany doesn’t have the space necessary for installing the corresponding renewable power production capacity. Berlin is also in talks with many other countries about becoming potential suppliers, including Chile, Morocco and Canada.