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The port of Hamburg - one of the biggest on the North Sea, Source: Depositphotos

Middle East hydrogen at the port of Hamburg: Germany’s next step towards energy independence

Middle East hydrogen at the port of Hamburg: Germany’s next step towards energy independence

The two sides have also agreed to cooperate on issues of climate change

Last Friday, the first delivery of hydrogen from the United Arab Emirates arrived in Germany’s port of Hamburg. The delivery is the result of a deal signed back in March by Federal Economics and Climate Protection Minister Robert Habeck and with the first deliveries, Germany has made one more step towards energy independence.

Furthermore, it brings Hamburg to the forefront of a new energy race developing in the North Sea, between multiple ports vying for the leading role in Europe’s adoption of the new energy source.

Germany has been trying to expand the port of Hamburg’s capacity to handle and produce hydrogen, however, despite hundreds of millions of investments, most of the new capacity will not be ready before 2028.

Industry to benefit from hydrogen

According to a statement by the city, the first hydrogen shipment will be used to fuel multi-metal manufacturer Aurubis. It will help to shift the energy-intensive production of copper to much lower emissions result, due to the avoided use of natural gas.

The second delivery for hydrogen should follow in November and the fuel will gradually make its way to other industries and producers. Furthermore, Germany is said to ramp up its own green hydrogen production while increasing imports.

This is because the demand for hydrogen is only set to rise, as the Federal Government estimates that deliveries would rise to between 90 terawatt hours and 110 terawatt hours.

Peter Tschentscher, Mayor of the Hanseatic City of Hamburg, according to a press release, doubled down on Hamburg’s ambition to become a leader in hydrogen for Europe. He stated: “As a globally networked trade and logistics metropolis, Hamburg can contribute its expertise to the energy partnership between Germany and the United Arab Emirates.“

Indeed, since 2017, Germany and the United Arab Emirates have been working together on projects about renewable energy, energy efficiency and hydrogen. Since this year, the agreement between the two countries also includes a climate pillar, intended to intensify cooperation in the areas of climate protection, decarbonisation, adaptation to climate change and CO2 pricing.

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