Passed by the Bundestag on Thursday (26 February), the Hydrogen Acceleration Act is hoped to reduce bureaucratic hurdles by streamlining and digitalising approval procedures.

Covering developments across production, import terminals, storage, and transport, the bill has designated the expansion of hydrogen infrastructure as of “overriding public interest” until 2045.

This designation will grant legal priorities for approvals.

The bill was amended by the Committee on Economic Affairs to cover the construction and operation of hydrogen derivative conversion facilities. This means import terminals receiving derivatives like e-fuels, liquid organic hydrogen carriers, and more are eligible.

Those amendments also specified that hydrogen production from natural gas with carbon capture will be covered, offering more support for blue hydrogen.

It comes after the current German government vowed to use “all hydrogen colours” in the ramp-up of the sector, marking a shift away from a heavy green hydrogen focus of the previous administration.

Germany has emerged as one of Europe’s leading hydrogen nations. Almost 1GW of green hydrogen projects have past final investment decision, according to ICIS.

However, with structurally high power prices, the country views imports as a necessary part of its strategy, estimating up to 70% of its 2030 demand could be met by foreign molecules.

Despite its leading position, the country remains far behind its targets of 10GW of green hydrogen production capacity by 2030.