German industry association welcomes Hydrogen Acceleration Act

The German Bundestag has adopted the Hydrogen Acceleration Act (Wasserstoffbeschleunigungsgesetz, WassBG) in its third reading, introducing measures aimed at speeding up permitting procedures for hydrogen infrastructure projects in Germany.

The law classifies facilities for the production, import and storage of hydrogen as projects of overriding public interest. It is designed to simplify and accelerate planning, review and approval processes for hydrogen production plants, pipelines and import infrastructure.

In a statement reacting to the vote, the German industry association Die Gas- und Wasserstoffwirtschaft e.V. welcomed the legislation as a step toward accelerating the hydrogen market ramp-up.

“With the Hydrogen Acceleration Act, policymakers are pressing ahead with the market ramp-up. Hydrogen will play a central role in decarbonisation. The WassBG will enable production plants, pipelines, and import infrastructure to be planned, reviewed, and approved more quickly and reliably in the future,” said Dr. Timm Kehler, CEO of the association.

The association also highlighted that low-carbon hydrogen is now included in the scope of the law. According to Kehler, this means that carbon management projects and related import value chains can benefit from the accelerated procedures.

In addition, the Act supports the repurposing of existing gas infrastructure for hydrogen transport and takes into account hydrogen derivatives such as ammonia cracking facilities, as well as synthetic gases and blue hydrogen.

“This broadens the supply side, increases investment certainty, and sets the hydrogen market in motion,” Kehler said.

Die Gas- und Wasserstoffwirtschaft e.V. represents companies across the German gas and hydrogen value chain, from production and transport to distribution, trading and applications. The association advocates for the use of hydrogen, its derivatives, biogas and natural gas — including related infrastructure — as part of a climate-neutral and resilient energy system.

Source: Gas H2, Photo: Pixabay