German economy minister Katherina Reiche
Germany eyes blue hydrogen as cabinet backs CCS
Draft law opens door to large-scale carbon capture and storage, and could unleash investment in gas-based hydrogen projects
Germany’s cabinet has adopted draft legislation allowing the widespread deployment of CCS and CCUS, in a move that could spur investment in blue hydrogen production. The draft law, which will need to be debated further before final adoption, also allows for CCS to abate gas-fired power plants, which the government accepts will continue to play a key role in the energy mix despite the rapid expansion of the country’s renewables sector. CCS for coal-fired power plants is ruled out. The draft law calls for the expansion at pace of a CO₂ pipeline network and allows for the development of onshore CO₂ storage, as well as offshore facilities. “This law has created the possibility of producing blue
Also in this section
4 February 2026
Europe’s largest electrolyser manufacturers are losing patience with policymakers as sluggish growth in the green hydrogen sector undermines their decision to expand production capacity
2 February 2026
As a fertiliser feedstock, it is indispensable, but ammonia’s potential as a carbon-free energy carrier is also making it central to global decarbonisation strategies
28 January 2026
The development of hydrogen’s distribution system must speed up if the industry is to stand any chance of grabbing a meaningful slice of the low-carbon energy market
14 January 2026
Continent’s governments must seize the green hydrogen opportunity by refining policies and ramping up the development of supply chains and infrastructure
