The NZTZ report outlines a plan to export green hydrogen between Scotland and Germany

The report ‘Enabling Green Hydrogen Exports: Matching Scottish Production to German Demand’ analyzed hydrogen production in Scotland and demand in Germany, creating scenarios for matching hydrogen exports and consumption, examining the multi-sector end-use, technologies, infrastructure and regulatory framework required to enable safe and efficient hydrogen distribution.

The report shows that by 2045, potential Scottish hydrogen exports could potentially meet between 22 and 100 percent of Germany’s hydrogen import volumes.

The report identifies two critical stages of development. The first phase is short-term, until 2030, and covers early production and end-use activities, prior to the installation of hydrogen pipelines capable of exporting 35 TWh of hydrogen. The second phase covers the period 2030-2045 and includes the commissioning and expansion of pipeline infrastructure to facilitate better distribution at low costs to export 94 TWh of hydrogen.

To address the challenges and seize opportunities, the report highlights actions, including the need to conduct comprehensive research, prioritize infrastructure investments, strengthen energy partnerships, monitor market dynamics and reassess export targets to align with changing demand trends.

“While the potential for hydrogen production in Scotland is well understood, given the scale of projected demand in Germany, there is a lack of concrete strategies linking supply and demand and its evolution between now and 2045, when both countries will strive to achieve net zero carbon emissions emission targets,” said Ana Almeida, senior project engineer at NZTC. “The scenarios presented in this report illustrate pathways to maximize opportunities for international hydrogen distribution. The development of the report in collaboration with Cruh21 also ensured that barriers and benefits for both countries were fully taken into account.”

This latest report, which focuses on the potential for offtake and cross-border distribution of available volumes of hydrogen, complements NZTC’s Hydrogen Backbone Link report, which assesses transport infrastructure and, in particular, reuse versus new construction of a dedicated hydrogen pipeline.

Additional information:

Net Zero Technology Center (NZTC)