Germany and Algeria set up hydrogen taskforce Joint declaration of intent on future hydrogen supplies

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Germany and Algeria intend to work more closely together in the field of the production of green hydrogen. The aim is to help Algeria in particular to establish hydrogen infrastructure and production. For this purpose, the two countries will set up a bilateral hydrogen taskforce in the context of their energy partnership. Furthermore, a hydrogen pilot plant is planned to be installed. To this end, Federal Minister for Economic Affairs and Climate Action Dr Robert Habeck and the Algerian Minister of Energy and Mining Mohamed Arkab signed a joint declaration of intent in Algier today.

Federal Minister Robert Habeck: Germany and Algeria have been linked by a close energy partnership since 2015. We now want to expand this partnership and encourage Algeria to produce more green hydrogen in the future, make more investments in solar and wind energy for this purpose and thus create new local value. We want to support the country with know-how and technical expertise. Germany and the EU are available as potential customers for green hydrogen. We now need to create the necessary technical and economic framework for hydrogen supplies from Algeria to Europe.

The German-Algerian hydrogen taskforce is to promote the policy environment for the production, storage and transport of green hydrogen and its derivatives. The bilateral cooperation aims to support private investments in both countries and thus to contribute to energy security in Europe and at the same time implement the Paris Climate Agreement.

The declaration of intent was signed after a high-ranking dialogue between the Ministers, business representatives and experts, who had intensively discussed the potential and challenges of the expansion of renewable energy, hydrogen, funding, transport and sales during a preceding roundtable. Representatives of the European Commission, Italy, Austria and Tunisia, who together are promoting the establishment of the SoutH2 Corridor, also attended the roundtable. The SoutH2 Corridor project aims to modernise and expand the existing gas pipeline corridor for renewables-based hydrogen from Algeria via Tunisia, Italy and Austria to the south of Germany. Algeria wants to become an important producer of green hydrogen and export 10% of the EU’s demand by 2040. The country would thus be able to improve its domestic economic prospects, create new jobs and gradually replace gas in its own energy sector.

The SoutH2 Corridor is to contribute to energy security in Europe. At the same time, it is an important element of the diversification of energy imports.

Background information: The roundtable took place in the context of the German-Algerian energy partnership, an interministerial platform for the energy policy dialogue between Germany and Algeria. The aim is to discuss current energy policy trends and advance joint projects, especially related to the expansion of renewable energy, more energy efficiency and hydrogen. The Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action has commissioned the Deutsche Gesellschaft für internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH to implement the bilateral energy partnership.