Germany took formal delivery of its first batch of hydrogen from the UAE, a “green” fuel it hopes will help replace coal and gas used by energy-intensive industries in the future.
Germany is scrambling to replace Russian natural gas imports while also meeting its goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions to “net zero” by 2025.
The delivery in Hamburg was modest: just a single container with 13 metric tons of ammonia.
Still, it was symbolic enough for German Economy Minister Robert Habeck to hold a joint ceremony with the UAE’s climate envoy, Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, and the CEO of German metals manufacturer Aurubis, which is testing the fuel to make copper wire.
Hamburg is hoping to become a hydrogen hub and has plans to build an electrolysis facility that could process the fuel.
For now, however, Habeck noted that imports will also be vital to building up supplies.
The UAE and Germany signed a landmark agreement in September to accelerate joint efforts to boost energy security, decarbonization, and combat climate change.
Under the partnership, Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) will supply German energy company RWE AG with liquefied natural gas.
