German experts are currently looking for locations for hydrogen production in the 15 states of the West African Economic Community ECOWAS. This emerges from the answer to a small question from the left-wing faction (Bundestag printed matter 19/18834; 19/18122). However, the federal government does not want to comment on specific projects and questions surrounding such projects, citing the ongoing interdepartmental coordination of the “National Hydrogen Strategy”.
Under the title “Ecological consequences and costs of the hydrogen economy”, the Left pointed out that according to plans, “green hydrogen” for the local economy should largely come from abroad, as there is not enough space and acceptance in Germany for the required number of large ones Photovoltaic systems and wind farms exist. Southern Europe, the Maghreb states, West Africa and the Chilean Pacific coast are mentioned as production locations. These are “mainly (semi-)arid regions that are already characterized by water stress”. Climate change could worsen water shortages in these regions. The conversion of the energy system in Germany and the EU to predominantly imported “green hydrogen” would require a number of seawater desalination plants in potential supplying countries that will probably significantly exceed the current number. The supplying countries generally only have a very small proportion of green electricity, according to the Left.
In its response, the federal government emphasizes that the focus is “first on decarbonized self-sufficiency and also on promoting export options for green electricity and climate-neutral hydrogen.” The export of hydrogen that is produced at the expense of self-sufficiency is not supported. The expansion of hydrogen production capacities must be accompanied by the expansion of additional renewable energy capacities in the potential supply countries. It is important not to trigger any incentives to expand fossil power plants.
Deep link:
https://dip21.bundestag.de/dip21/btd/19/188/1918834.pdf
Photos:
(c) German Bundestag / Thomas Trutschel/ photothek.net
