Germany launches H2Global system to galvanize green hydrogen imports

London — The German government has launched the H2Global initiative for green hydrogen imports, implementing a Eur2 billion ($2.4 billion) strategy to support electrolyzer projects abroad, it said March 16.

H2Global has developed a framework for double auction systems for electrolyzer projects (100 MW and above) as well as imports of the produced hydrogen into Germany, it said.

On the sidelines of the Berlin Energy Transition Dialogue, the government also signed a hydrogen partnership with Canada, days after signing a similar agreement with Saudi Arabia, with both nations planning to export green hydrogen.

H2Global would help ramp up economically viable, large scale projects in selected countries, state secretary for energy Andreas Feicht said.

Implementation of the concept is to start from April with an expert commission appointed that will work closely with the energy and economy ministry (BMWi).

H2Global has been set up by sustainable development agency GIZ and German hydrogen and fuel cell association DWV.

HINT.CO (Hydrogen Intermediary Network Company) is to tender Hydrogen Purchase Agreements (HPAs) and Hydrogen Service Agreements (HSAs).

The cost gap between these two agreements is to be bridged temporarily via Contracts for Difference-style subsidies, accelerating development of large scale electrolyzer projects as well as integrating imports at market-reflective prices into the hydrogen economy, the government said.

Germany's foreign office is hosting the Berlin Energy Transition Dialogue March 16 and 17. Some 50 national energy or foreign ministers are participating, as is US climate envoy John Kerry. The dialogue is helping to prepare for global climate negotiations at COP26 in Glasgow.

European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen told the conference that the EU planned to have an annual domestic production capacity of renewable hydrogen of one million metric tonnes by 2024 and ten million mt by 2030.

S&P Global Platts assessed the price of green hydrogen (Netherlands, PEM electrolysis including capex) at Eur4.06/kg on March 16. For alkaline electrolysis, the comparable assessment was Eur3.41/kg.