Lars Klingbeil, German Minister of Finance, speaks in the Bundestag during the budget debates on the introduction of the draft federal budget for 2025. Credit: Michael Kappeler/dpa
The German Economy Ministry said it aims to accelerate the expansion of the country’s hydrogen sector.
Numerous simplifications are indispensable for the rapid supply of hydrogen, according to a draft bill seen by dpa on Tuesday.
The bill was sent to the federal states and business associations for consultation, according to the ministry.
Climate-neutral hydrogen is intended to play a key role in transforming industries such as steel and chemicals, replacing fossil fuels.
From the perspective of the energy sector, however, hydrogen is currently insufficiently available and is too expensive.
The draft bill aims to facilitate various planning, approval and procurement procedures for building an efficient hydrogen infrastructure.
In addition to electrolyzers and import facilities for hydrogen, hydrogen pipelines and storage are also an issue. These facilities and pipelines are to be considered of “overriding public interest,” which is intended to speed up procedures.
The German government plans to establish a “core network.” Currently, procedures are lengthy and associated with a lot of red tape, the draft states. This prevents groundbreaking investments and the implementation of projects, it adds.
