BDEW against financing reservation for hydrogen

10.07.2025

Source: E & M powernews

A draft bill aims to speed up approvals for hydrogen projects. BDEW and DIHK see good approaches, but call for clear improvements.

With the Hydrogen Acceleration Act, the German government wants to speed up the expansion of the hydrogen economy. A corresponding draft of the law was submitted to the federal states and associations for consultation on July 8 (we reported). Among other things, it is planned to simplify approval and award procedures for electrolysers, pipelines, storage facilities and import plants and to declare the "overriding public interest" for such plants. This is intended to shorten lengthy procedures and stimulate investment in the hydrogen sector.

The Berlin-based German Association of Energy and Water Industries (BDEW) welcomes the Federal Ministry of Economics' initiative in principle. Managing Director Kerstin Andreae reaffirms the importance of hydrogen for a climate-neutral industry and for flexible power plant capacities in the future energy system. The association sees the planned digitalization of the processes and the expansion of public interest to include hydrogen that does not come exclusively from renewable energies as positive.

However, BDEW is critical of the financing perspective of the draft legislation. According to the association, the funding originally planned as part of the National Hydrogen Strategy in the federal budget up to 2032 has been significantly reduced - as a result, only around a third of the originally planned funding will be available. The BDEW does not currently see sufficient budget allocations, particularly for central areas of application such as system-supporting electrolysis capacities or the construction of electrolysers at sea.

Andreae warns that without solid funding, the desired acceleration in planning and approval would remain ineffective. "The hydrogen ramp-up must not be subject to funding restrictions." At the same time, the association is once again calling on the German government to initiate a European hydrogen alliance together with other EU countries (we reported). This is the only way to achieve the goal formulated in the coalition agreement of assuming a leading role in the European hydrogen economy.

DIHK: better, yes, but not consistently enough

The German Chamber of Industry and Commerce (DIHK) also sees the draft law as a step in the right direction. Sebastian Bolay believes that the draft law creates more clarity for companies. The Head of Energy, Environment and Industry at the DIHK explains that the draft will in future also include projects that were previously not covered - such as methane imports, electricity-based fuels or facilities required for the operation of hydrogen pipelines.

It is particularly important that all infrastructure projects for the hydrogen ramp-up by 2045 - such as the expansion of renewables since the traffic light - are to be considered to be of "overriding public interest". This could significantly shorten planning and approval processes for the economy.

However, the DIHK has also voiced criticism. It is not clear why central acceleration elements such as shorter deadlines, digital procedures or bundled responsibilities should not apply across the board for all approval processes. In the view of the industry and trade association, these regulations should be introduced regardless of the individual case in order to systematically simplify planning procedures.

In addition, the DIHK criticizes the fact that central prerequisites for many projects - such as the approval of commercial sites under construction planning law, connection to energy and hydrogen networks or traffic development - have not yet been covered by the draft law. However, these points are just as crucial for practical implementation as the main plant itself.

The DIHK points to the importance of hydrogen as an energy source for companies that are unable to electrify processes. Without comprehensively simplified procedures for planning, approval and construction of the necessary infrastructure, the goal of a climate-neutral economy can hardly be achieved.

Author: Davina Spohn