Hamburg to highlight hydrogen sector at World Hydrogen Congress

Michael Westhagemann, Senator for Economics, pointed out: "Hamburg has set itself the goal of becoming a European centre of green hydrogen and has great advantages given the existing industry and links to offshore wind." However, Europe's hydrogen industry needs to co-operate closely to be successful. "That's why I am delighted that Hamburg is taking part in the World Hydogen Congress." Dr. Rolf Strittmatter, Managing Director of Hamburg Invest, which has organized the stand, commented: "We want to highlight our city's potential and that of northern Germany and seek talks with other global stakeholders during the congress in Amsterdam. Green hydrogen as an energy carrier will have a huge impact on Hamburg's business sector including logistics, industry or mobility."

Northern Germany and Hamburg are particularly suitable for a green hydrogen sector, according to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). The region hold huge potential in terms of producing and storing renewable energies and for purchasing hydrogen especially from local companies. Hamburg plays a key role in achieving climate protection goals and Germany's energy transition. The Port of Hamburg is an ideal logistics hub for importing and distributing hydrogen across Germany Europe. Solutions and projects along the entire value chain already exist in Hamburg, which is also driving the decarbonisation of industry and developing hydrogen sector. 

The Hamburg-based companies, Airbus, ArcelorMittal, Gasnetz Hamburg, GreenPlug, Hamburger Hafen und Logistik AG, Hamburg Port Authority, HADAG Seetouristik und Fährdienst and Stadtreinigung have joined forces with the Green Hydrogen Hub, consisting of Shell, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) and Wärme Hamburg, to form the Hydrogen Verbund Hamburg. The alliance is part of a major campaign by the German government. Some 62 projects across Germany are receiving EUR 8 billion in funds from the Ministry of Economics and Transport and the federal states. Around EUR 520 million of the overall funds will flow towards the sector in Hamburg while the total investment comes to EUR 1.6 billion.

The states of Hamburg, Lower Saxony, Schleswig-Holstein, Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania and Bremen have launched the HY-5 Hydrogen Alliance on the initiative of the Northern Chamber of Commerce (IHK Nord). The initiative, which is backed by the five economic development organisations in those states, aims to make northern Germany a thriving, central European hydrogen region. Solutions are being developed along the entire value chain of green hydrogen. The World Hydrogen Congress will present all kinds of hydrogen projects to a broad European public.
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