- Germany plans to invest €18.9 billion in a 9,040 km hydrogen pipeline network to achieve carbon neutrality by 2045, with initial flows expected by 2025.
- The project will convert 60% of existing natural gas pipelines, optimising costs and resources while supporting hydrogen imports from countries like Denmark and the Netherlands.
Germany approves a €18.9 billion plan to create a 9,040 km hydrogen pipeline network, driving its push towards carbon neutrality by 2045. This network will reduce emissions in critical industries like steel and heavy transport while facilitating hydrogen trade with neighbouring European nations.
Germany plans to start the first hydrogen flows in 2025 and complete the network by 2032. The project converts 60% of existing natural gas pipelines into hydrogen carriers to reduce costs and speed development. The remaining 40% involves building new infrastructure, using resources better, and reducing environmental impact.
The hydrogen network will transport 278 TWh of hydrogen annually, supporting domestic production and imports. Germany will import green hydrogen from Denmark and the Netherlands to meet its growing demand for clean energy. This infrastructure will form a crucial part of Germany’s strategy to replace fossil fuels and expand renewable energy.
Germany lowered the project’s cost from €19.7 billion to €18.9 billion by converting existing pipelines instead of building new ones. Although the price has dropped, the project requires significant government and private investment.
Germany hopes to attract additional private funding through the European Important Projects of Common European Interest (IPCEI), which coordinates subsidies and investments for crucial energy projects across Europe.
Economy Minister Robert Habeck highlights the importance of European cooperation, working closely with countries like the Netherlands and France to ensure hydrogen flows smoothly across borders. This collaboration will diversify hydrogen sources and stabilise prices, enhancing energy security for the entire continent.
Germany’s hydrogen network marks a step towards a large-scale national energy infrastructure. The network could support other renewable energy forms in the future, strengthening Germany’s leadership in Europe’s energy transition.
The hydrogen pipeline aligns with Germany’s efforts to phase out fossil fuels and scale renewables. It directly addresses the country’s goals to cut greenhouse gas emissions and reduce reliance on coal, oil, and natural gas. This move also responds to rising concerns about energy security, especially after global market disruptions.
Germany focuses on industries that emit the most carbon, helping them shift away from fossil fuels. Steel production and heavy industry, traditionally reliant on coal and gas, stand to gain the most from the hydrogen supply. Hydrogen will also play a key role in decarbonising transport sectors, particularly for long-haul trucking, where electrification presents challenges.
As Germany progresses with its hydrogen vision, the project will likely draw considerable attention from private investors. The network aims to satisfy Germany’s energy needs and strengthen its role in shaping Europe’s hydrogen economy. By setting up this infrastructure, Germany paves the way for long-term success in renewable energy transition and industrial decarbonisation.