United Kingdom-German Hydrogen Partnership

On 26 September 2023, the UK and Germany officially launched their cooperation on hydrogen with a high-profile conference at the UK Embassy in Berlin. German State Secretary Philipp Nimmerman and UK Minister for Energy Efficiency and Green Finance Lord Martin Callanan signed the Joint Declaration of Intent for the UK-German Hydrogen Partnership followed by several panel discussions on topics such as regional hydrogen clusters, funding mechanisms, and industry projects. The event continued into the evening and attendees were able to connect at a networking reception. 

The UK-German Hydrogen Partnership is a culmination of substantial investments made by both countries in hydrogen infrastructure and technology. In the UK, initiatives such as the Net Zero Hydrogen Fund and the Hydrogen Production Business Model are driving low-carbon hydrogen production. Meanwhile, Germany's National Hydrogen Strategy, supported by the Climate and Transformation Fund, is catalyzing the growth of the hydrogen market. 

This new cooperation seeks to expedite the global advancement of hydrogen technology and is set to deepen in 2024, focusing on topics such as the build-out of hydrogen trade infrastructure in the North Sea region, the deployment of hydrogen projects for industry and consumers, the promotion of hydrogen trade, plus related goods, technologies and services financial support mechanisms, hydrogen research and innovation, and much more. 

These efforts aim to make hydrogen technologies more accessible and affordable, ultimately reducing energy costs for consumers. This partnership is not only a step towards achieving net-zero emissions by 2050 but also enhances energy security by transitioning away from fossil fuels towards cleaner alternatives. 

Whilst initial meetings between the participating ministries have already taken place at the end of 2023 and beginning of 2024, and more bilateral events are to follow, the joint declaration also signifies a pivotal moment in the journey towards establishing an international hydrogen industry and marks a significant milestone in the global transition towards cleaner energy solutions for both countries. Both nations commit to working together to facilitate the expansion of low-carbon hydrogen within their respective energy mixes, showcasing the viability of net-zero-friendly markets to the world. By aligning their efforts, both countries are poised to achieve their net-zero emissions targets while bolstering economic and energy security in an evolving geopolitical landscape.