Germany: 100 TWh of green hydrogen imported via pipelines by 2035

Germany plans to meet up to 100 terawatt-hours (TWh) of its annual energy needs by importing green hydrogen via pipelines from neighbouring countries by the mid-2030s. The ambition is a key step in the country’s energy transformation, which aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from highly polluting industries such as steel and chemicals that cannot be electrified.
The use of green hydrogen, produced from renewable energy sources such as solar and wind power, is at the heart of this transformation. According to a study by Berlin-based think tanks Agora Energiewende and Agora Industry, hydrogen could account for 11.2% of Germany’s total projected energy demand, estimated at 894 TWh in 2035.

Growing demand for imported hydrogen

Despite limited renewable energy resources, Germany will need to import 50% to 70% of its hydrogen. The country currently uses around 55-60 TWh of hydrogen per year, produced almost exclusively from fossil fuels. By 2030, Germany is expected to produce 11 TWh of hydrogen and import around 17 TWh of green hydrogen and 15 TWh of blue hydrogen (produced from natural gas), covering less than half of total projected demand, estimated at 95 TWh to 130 TWh.
To achieve its carbon neutrality goals, Germany needs to increase hydrogen imports, using existing natural gas infrastructure in Europe. By 2035, the country could increase pipeline imports to 60-100 TWh.

Promising import corridors

The study identifies five potential hydrogen import corridors to Germany, taking into account production potential, political support and technical complexity. Promising corridors include imports from Denmark and Norway via the North Sea, and potentially from Sweden and Finland via the Baltic Sea at a later stage.
In the longer term, pipelines from Southern Europe and North Africa, particularly Spain and Tunisia, could play a significant role. Imports are also expected from the UK, Portugal, Algeria, Greece and Ukraine.
According to Simon Mueller, director of Agora Energiewende, Germany needs a secure, cost-effective supply of renewable hydrogen to achieve climate neutrality. “Pipeline imports from Europe are crucial,” he said. However, he emphasizes the need for a financing model and rapid cost-sharing agreements between the countries involved to guarantee the required volumes of green hydrogen in the first half of the next decade.
Hydrogen producers and pipeline operators will also need assurances about Germany’s future hydrogen demand. The study examines five potential corridors for hydrogen pipelines to Germany, taking into account factors such as production potential, political support and technical complexity.