Green hydrogen is 'European project' – German utility association head

German domestic production of hydrogen produced from renewable power will not be enough to meet demand and thus has to be dealt with in cooperation with other countries, Kerstin Andreae, new head of the BDEW utility association, told business daily Handelsblatt. "I see it as a European project. It could generate a strong economic stimulus on the continent," she said, adding that from today's view green hydrogen was "the only key to decarbonisation in certain applications". The former Green Party MP said she was convinced that natural gas would play an important role in the energy, industry and heating sectors for many years and called for "clear investment conditions" for modern gas power plants, which would be needed from the early 2020s.

The government sees hydrogen made from renewables or from natural gas in combination with carbon capture and storage (CCS) as a key part of Germany’s future energy system, but also as key for the future of the country's famed industry. At a recent meeting with stakeholders, economy minister Peter Altmaier said Germany must beat Asian countries – in particular China and Japan – to claim global leadership in the technology. Germany is currently working on a hydrogen strategy to be finalised by the end of 2019.