UPDATE Germany/Denmark – Jens Schuman, CEO of Gasunie Deutschland, and Sren Dupont Kristensen, CEO of Energinet System Operator, signed a Memorandum of Understanding to quicken the planning for cross-border hydrogen infrastructure between Germany and Denmark (MoU).
The MoU’s preparedness plan calls for a coordinated strategy for network development planning based on the findings of the pre-feasibility study and the most recent supply and demand market changes. In order to arrive at final investment choices, Energinet and Gasunie will also examine and identify the key decision gates.
German, Danish, Belgian, and Dutch officials jointly announced the goal in May 2022 to produce at least 65 GW of offshore wind energy by 2030 and to boost capacity to at least 150 GW by 2050. The Danish and German governments signed a Letter of Intent (LoI) to increase their collaboration on green hydrogen, including looking into the possibility of a pipeline for hydrogen export from Denmark to Germany, in combination with the so-called Esbjerg statement.
Study results
A techno-economic pre-feasibility study carried out by Energinet and Gasunie Deutschland last year revealed that Denmark could be able to provide 10–25% of the anticipated German hydrogen consumption through this route. Since then, the Danish parliament has established ambitious political agreements on Power-to-X and a significant expansion of renewable energy sources. As a result, Energinet has started research to determine if it is feasible to build a “hydrogen backbone” in Denmark’s western region, complete with infrastructure for exports to Germany.
Together, Energinet and Gasunie have a successful and extensive history. Gas has been moved back and forth between Denmark and Germany over many years in a variety of methods, beginning with exports from Germany to Denmark, followed by exports from Denmark to Germany for a while, and most recently with exports back to Denmark. It is anticipated that a sizable portion of the “hydrogen backbone” connecting the two nations may be built using converted gas transmission pipelines.
The task of creating the regulatory framework is underway in both nations. Energinet and Gasunie have signed the MoU on behalf of the potential Danish and German hydrogen network operator(s), as it is still unclear who would operate the hydrogen network (s).
