Hydrogen Partnerships with countries of the Global South: A technology assessment study for the German Bundestag

Hydrogen produced on the basis of renewable energies (RE) – so-called green hydrogen – is considered to be a key technology for achieving climate neutrality by 2050. It will be impossible to satisfy the expected demand for hydrogen as an energy carrier or basic material for industrial processes from sources in Germany or the EU alone. Therefore, Germany will depend on imports of green hydrogen (or derived products). Suitable production sites can be found particularly in regions with favorable geographical and climatic conditions for RE production – many of them in developing countries (e. g. photovoltaics and wind energy in North Africa, photovoltaics in Central Asia). Thus, the topic of hydrogen partnerships with developing countries is of high political and social relevance. These can open up great opportunities at the local level for their economic development. Depending on the local situation, however, adverse environmental, socio-economic or political effects must also be considered. For example, the export of hydrogen might delay the often urgently needed expansion and climate-neutral conversion of the domestic energy industry in the partner country. Furthermore, it might have negative effects on the local availability of resources (e. g. drinking water). In analyses and strategies with regard to a hydrogen economy, only little attention has been paid to the concerns of the partner countries. The objective of technology assessment, however, is to provide a comprehensive and inclusive view on impacts and consequences in order to enhance reflexivity and quality of decision-making. This situation motivated the German Bundestag to commission its Office of Technology Assessment (TAB) to conduct a study on hydrogen partnerships with countries of the Global South. The TAB provides the parliament with knowledge and orientation on the scientific and technological advance and its outcomes in all fields relevant to policymaking at the national level. This holds, in particular for infrastructures such as energy supply. The various requests and topics are addressed by combining TAB’s own expertise with expertise from external scientific institutions. TAB’s results are used by the Bundestag to engage in activities which would not have happened without the work of TAB. The objective of the TA project on hydrogen partnerships is to identify and discuss the conditions for implementation as well as possible implications, opportunities and risks of a hydrogen infrastructure along the entire utilization chain in potential partner countries. Technological approaches, criteria and implementation possibilities for the design of corresponding projects are to be investigated, which aim at simultaneously providing the greatest possible developmental and environmental benefits. The project is currently at its final stage and will be finished in summer 2023. The proposed presentation will address two targets. First, it will substantially contribute to the Session “Governing Green Energy Trade” by presenting the main findings of the project. Second, it will give insight into scientific policy advice at the parliamentary level as an element of technology governance.