Too much, too little focused – PowerShift criticises relaunch of hydrogen strategy
Berlin, 26 July 2023: Adopted today by the Federal Cabinet New edition of the National Hydrogen Strategy provides for the promotion not only of green hydrogen, but also of blue, turquoise and orange hydrogen. With serious consequences for the climate, the environmental organization PowerShift fears.
PowerShift energy expert Neelke Wagner explains:
"Hydrogen produced from fossil sources does not contribute to the energy transition and is bad for climate protection. Hydrogen produced with renewable energies alone can be nearly climate neutral. All other production routes continue to fuel the climate crisis due to pre-chain emissions, leakages and possible accidents. It is a scandal that even subsidies should now be used for this purpose.”
The environmental organization warns that Germany will tear the climate targets with these options. Neelke Wagner continues: ‘The use of hydrogen needs to focus on the areas of application, where electrification is not an alternative (e.g. steel production or high-temperature processes). It must also be embedded in a raw material transition that reduces the consumption of materials such as steel and plastics and promotes the expansion of a circular economy. Otherwise, the future hydrogen economy will become a problem rather than a solution to the climate crisis. The idea of an unlimited supply of hydrogen is a fantasy and prevents necessary climate protection measures that must go deeper than a simple fuel change.”
Press contact
Neelke Wagner (Energy Policy Officer)
neelke.wagner@power-shift.de
+49 (0)30 2472 4541
