Germany’s dash for hydrogen gathers pace
Federal government and states grant a combined €4.6b to projects across the value chain, despite struggling economy and pressure on public finances
Germany’s push to hardwire hydrogen into Europe’s largest economy gained momentum in July, with a €4.6b ($5b) public funding commitment to multiple projects, as well as the fleshing out of plans to tender for hydrogen-fired power generation and the signing of a first major green ammonia import deal. Twenty-three projects spanning electrolysis, storage, pipelines and the use of liquid organic carriers have secured public funding under Hy2Infra-Welle, an umbrella project waved through by the EU in February as an Important Project of Common European, allowing it to circumvent EU competition rules on state aid. The funding will be provided by both the federal government (70%) and the individual
Also in this section
25 February 2026
Low-carbon hydrogen and ammonia development is advancing much more slowly and unevenly than once expected, with high costs and policy uncertainty thinning investment. Meanwhile, surging energy demand is reinforcing the role of natural gas and LNG as the backbone of the global energy system, panellists at LNG2026 said
18 February 2026
Norwegian energy company has dropped a major hydrogen project and paused its CCS expansion plans as demand fails to materialise
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






