The German and UK offshore wind sectors can play a key role in decarbonising national economies by support the production of hydrogen, an event hosted by the British Embassy in Berlin has heard.
British ambassador to Germany Sebastian Wood said the industry has an “important contribution to the climate-friendly restructuring of our economy”, at the ‘Role of Offshore Wind in the Shift to a Hydrogen Economy’ event held this week.
“Our two countries accounted for 85% of total installed capacity in Europe last year,” he said.
“Hydrogen can contribute to those areas where emissions reductions are most needed in the UK and Germany – in industry, in heavy goods traffic, and in heat production in buildings.”
Catrin Jung, chief executive of German association BWO, which co-organised the event, said offshore wind must be integrated into Berlin’s hydrogen strategy, although not at the expense of grid expansion.
“Europe has already taken a global lead in the development of offshore wind energy and can now lead the way in the development, distribution and production of hydrogen from renewable sources,” added Oliver Wragg, commercial director, The European Marine Energy Centre.
“Given the continuing decline in the costs of offshore wind power generation, green hydrogen will play an even bigger role.”