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Green hydrogen
Forming closer relationships …
German-Irish green hydrogen alliance
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The German Irish Chamber of Industry and Commerce has formed the German-Irish Hydrogen Council in response to interest expressed by a number of Irish and German market participants in forming new and closer relationships in the field of green hydrogen.
Green hydrogen production
in Ireland is a new and emerging industry, and green hydrogen is seen as essential for Europe to achieve net zero emissions by 2050. There are a number of significant Irish hydrogen projects already in planning in Ireland and, given our vast wind reserves, there is an opportunity to create an export industry to support the demand for green hydrogen in Germany.
The newly-formed German-Irish Hydrogen Council supports the ongoing development of a hydrogen strategy for Ireland and promotes Irish hydrogen in Germany. It also aims to support the German and Irish hydrogen industry and product specialists by providing a link with German and Irish project developers.
Kate Dempsey of Tethra said: “The Irish-owned Tethra offshore wind portfolio is proud to be a founding member of the German-Irish Hydrogen Council, solidifying closer ties with Germany to support Ireland’s future export of hydrogen.”
Similar responses were received from ESB. “ESB and our offshore sub-sea hydrogen storage partner, dCarbonX, are delighted to be members of the German-Irish Hydrogen Council,” said Aodhán McAleer, ESB Hydrogen Manager. “ESB recognises that hydrogen produced and stored from renewable electricity will play a significant role in the decarbonisation of many sectors, so we plan to use existing capabilities and future renewable growth to become a leading player in large-scale renewable hydrogen production, thereby enabling renewable electricity.”
Hydrogen to herald new era
“I believe that hydrogen could herald an exciting new era of German Irish partnership in the energy sector,” said Dr Stefan Kaufmann, Innovation Commissioner for Green Hydrogen, German Federal Ministry of Education and Research. “We were delighted to learn about the formation of the German Irish Hydrogen Council because it presents a focal point for discussions about hydrogen between Germany and Ireland.”
Ireland’s energy profile complements that of Germany. It does not have the large heavy industry that Germany has but it does have vast renewable energy potential, particularly offshore. The Council believes Ireland has the potential to position itself as an exporter of hydrogen to Germany if these resources are fully utilised.
It is for this very reason that the German-Irish Chamber of Industry and Commerce established the German-Irish Hydrogen Council. Its membership currently comprises participants in the German and Irish green hydrogen industry. It invites members to join from various research institutions, politicians, public servants and others who have distinguished themselves in the field of green hydrogen and who believe in the environmental and economic benefits it can bring to Germany and Ireland.
Council’s goal
The Council’s goal is to foster better cooperation between the two countries through engagement at departmental and ministerial level in both jurisdictions, and to help lay the groundwork to get business done between Irish and German companies who are involved in the field of green hydrogen.
