The existing pipeline infrastructure in the eastern German states and their central location offer enormous potential to develop Eastern Germany into a hydrogen hub for Germany and Europe. This is shown in a study by the Institute of Energy Economics at the University of Cologne (EWI).
The study examines the development of regional hydrogen balances in Eastern Germany based on the reference years 2030 and 2045 in two scenarios: an electrification scenario and a diversification scenario. Regardless of the scenarios considered, it becomes clear that a rededication of existing natural gas pipelines or investment in new hydrogen infrastructure is absolutely necessary to transport the future Eastern German hydrogen demand from the production sites to the consumption centres.
