Dear Member,

This morning, on 28th February, the German-Irish Hydrogen Council had their first official meeting on the premises of University College Dublin with opening words by German ambassador Cord Meier-Klodt. 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. Given the vast wind reserves in Ireland there is an opportunity to create an export industry to support the demand for Green Hydrogen in Germany.

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 closer relationships in the field of green hydrogen. The council supports the on-going 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 and Dr Stefan Kaufmann, Innovation Commissioner for Green Hydrogen, German Federal Ministry of Education and Research.

“ESB and our offshore sub-sea hydrogen storage partner dCarbonX, are delighted to be members of the German-Irish Hydrogen council,” so 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. To that end, we plan to use our existing capabilities and future renewable growth to become a leading player in large scale renewable hydrogen production, thereby enabling renewable electricity.”

“It is my belief that hydrogen could herald a new era of German Irish partnership in the energy sector. 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,” said Dr Stefan Kaufmann.

In July 2020 the German government published their Hydrogen Strategy. This is a very detailed document that provides a step by step action plan for the implementation of green hydrogen in their country. Ireland’s energy profile is complementary to Germany’s. It does not have the large heavy industry that Germany has but it does have vast renewable energy potential, particularly offshore.

The Council believes that Ireland has the potential to position itself as an exporter of hydrogen to Germany if these resources are fully utilised. It is for this reason that the German-Irish Chamber of Industry and Commerce established the German-Irish Hydrogen Council this year. Its membership currently comprises participants in the German and Irish green hydrogen industry. It invites members to join from research institutions, politicians, public servants and others who have distinguished themselves in the field of green hydrogen and believe passionately about the environmental and economic benefits it can bring to Germany and Ireland.

The council’s goal is to foster better cooperation between the two countries through engagement at departmental and ministerial level in both jurisdictions and we strive to lay the groundwork to get business done between Irish and German companies involved in the field of green hydrogen.