Germany and Australia sign LoI to create hydrogen alliance.
Federal Economics Minister Peter Altmaier and Federal Research Minister Anja Karliczek, together with their Australian counterpart Energy Minister Angus Taylor, have signed a declaration of intent to establish a “Germany Australia Hydrogen Accord” by means of an exchange of letters.
With the german-Australian cooperation, the import of sustainably produced hydrogen in relevant quantities can be made possible – an important factor in achieving our increased climate targets.
Peter Altmaier, Federal Minister for Economic Affairsand Energy:
The german-Australian Hydrogen Alliance is another important milestone in the german-Australian Energy Partnership.
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Hydrogen is not only a key technology for the decarbonisation of our countries, but also a pioneer for sustainable economic growth on the way to climate neutrality. It is precisely against this background that I expressly welcome our cooperation in the areas of industry and trade as well as applied research and look forward to filling the hydrogen alliance with life.
Among other things, with german-Australian ‘Hydrogen Hubs’, we will promote the production of hydrogen on an industrial scale in Australia using German technology and explore possibilities for cooperation within the framework of our new international funding instrument ‘H2-Global’.
Anja Karliczek, Federal Minister of Education and Research:
The german-Australian cooperation offers German companies the opportunity to export technology.
“With the HyGATE technology incubator, we bring together actors from science and industry from both countries to develop, demonstrate and test green hydrogen technologies along the entire value chain – from generation, storage and transport to use.”
“Another major advantage of the partnership: A country like Australia, which has so far exported coal on a large scale, is building up a new, climate-friendly perspective as an energy exporter, true to the motto ‘shipping the sunshine’ – practically packaged sunshine from Australia. For the cooperation, the BMBF plans to provide up to 50 million euros over a period of three years.”
The piece is to be embedded in the work of the existing german-Australian energy partnership, with a focus on hydrogen. Australia is prepared to support this cooperation from its side with substantial financial resources.
German companies have a great interest in participating in hydrogen projects in Australia, including as suppliers of electrolysers. The chord provides for three different initiatives:
1. HyGate (FF BMBF): Co-financing of an AUS-DEU H2 incubator for applied research.
DEU contribution: EUR 50 million. The aim of the incubator is to develop, improve and test hydrogen technologies in real conditions as a precursor to subsequent scaling.
2. Co-financing of “HydrogenHubs” (FFBMWi): Production of H2 on an industrial scale in AUS using German technology. Co-financed within the framework of the planned DEU funding guideline for international H2 projects and AUS financing for hydrogen hubs. AUS has already approved a funding programme of A$275 million (EUR 175 million) for Hydrogen Hubs.
Part of this money is to be used primarily for hubs that use DEU technology. In addition, a DEU-AUS Industry Group is to be set up to identify projects along the value chain that are suitable for such co-financing and cooperation.
3. Cooperation on H2-Handel (FF BMWi): Co-financing of an auction within the framework of H2-Global, which is regionally limited to AUS. AUS is ready to support an auction of H2-Global with approx. 50 million euros, in which H2 (or derivative) produced in AUS is to be delivered to DEU.
Signing of a Memorandum of Understanding establishing a german-Australian Hydrogen Alliance, June 13, 2021
