Green hydrogen and Power-to-X products

Using a procedure known as electrolysis, water is decomposed into oxygen and hydrogen. The power needed for this is generated in a climate-neutral manner from renewable energy sources. By adding carbon, for example carbon dioxide (CO₂), the “green” hydrogen that has been produced in this way can then be turned into climate-neutral fuel gas (power-to-gas) or synthetic liquid fuel (power-to-liquid). This technology, which is called “Power to X” (PtX), is considered a key element of an energy system that relies fully on renewable energy sources.

Using green hydrogen and PtX products is a useful option, in particular, in those instances where the use of electricity is difficult, for instance in aviation and maritime shipping. The technology can also be applied in other industries, for instance steel and chemicals.

The production of green hydrogen and PtX products requires massive amounts of electricity. In order to meet the future demand for climate-neutral fuels, Germany's potential for power production from renewable sources will likely be insufficient. Germany will therefore have to import PtX products on a large scale over the medium to long term.

Making such products will offer countries in the Global South a broad range of opportunities for economic development. The green hydrogen sector fosters the development of local value chains, makes economies more resilient to crises, and creates jobs. Simultaneously, it contributes to energy security and helps countries to make the necessary transition towards sustainable local energy supplies.

That is why the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) supports the generation of green hydrogen and the development of related industries in the partner countries with which it engages in development cooperation. The BMZ does not support hydrogen production from fossil energy.

Under the National Hydrogen Strategy, the BMZ has entered into an alliance with Morocco for the development of the Power-to-X sector. Morocco is one of the pioneers in the renewable energy sector in Africa. In Ouarzazate, one of the world's biggest solar power plants has been built with German support. It provides climate-friendly power for 1.3 million people.

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Cooperation with Morocco Providing climate-friendly energy Internal link

Under the partnership with Morocco, the first step involves the construction of Africa's first industrial-scale plant for green hydrogen and PtX derivatives. The two sides are planning to establish some 100 megawatts in electrolysis capacity. The aim is to show that competitive green hydrogen and/or PtX products can indeed be generated in the partner countries of German development cooperation.

In this project, the BMZ attaches top priority to using the necessary energy and water resources sustainably. Efforts are being undertaken to avoid competition for these resources between the plant and local communities. This is done by expanding sustainable energy supplies, tapping sustainable sources of water, and offering training.

The German ministries, each working within their own remit, have joined together to help develop PtX products. The aim is to make them commercially viable as quickly as possible. Initiatives that focus on supply are being coordinated by the BMZ (production of green hydrogen in development cooperation partner countries); those that are concerned with the demand side (developing the market for PtX products in Germany) are mainly being led by the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action (BMWK), the Federal Ministry for Digital and Transport (BMDV) and the Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation, Nuclear Safety and Consumer Protection (BMUV). In addition, the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) is funding pilot plants and living labs in Germany for research and demonstration purposes, thus fostering mutual learning among various participants in an experimental environment.

E-mail: wasserstoff@bmz.bund.de (External link)