Memorandum of Understanding signed between Bavaria and Scotland for green hydrogen trade

Source: Energy & Management Powernews, June 15, 2022

With the help of Scotland, for example, Bavaria wants to secure the supply of green hydrogen. Bavaria's Minister of Economic Affairs Hubert Aiwanger has signed an energy partnership for this purpose.

In addition to the signature of Aiwanger (Free Voters), the declaration of intent also bears the signature of Ivan McKee, the Scottish Minister for Economy, Trade and Tourism. In it, the partners have agreed to trade in green hydrogen - "Bavaria supplies high-tech, Scotland green energy," said Aiwanger, who traveled to Scotland in mid-June at the head of a delegation with members from politics, the energy industry and science.

Aiwanger sees Scotland as a "politically stable European partner" capable of handling 25% of Europe's offshore wind energy production. This would allow large quantities of hydrogen to be produced. The politician assured: "Bavaria will also intensify the production of its own renewable energies. But that will not cover our needs." In 2020, 52% of electricity in Bavaria was generated from renewables. By 2030, it could become up to 80%, according to the state minister.

For Scotland, the Free State is an attractive partner due to the many resident high-tech companies in the hydrogen sector, as Aiwanger cites. Without giving details, Aiwanger's ministry announced the promotion of cooperation between Bavarian and Scottish sub-frames and research institutions. In the focus is above all the support of innovation projects, which advance the use of hydrogen technologies.

In the letter of intent it concerns among other things also the transport of the green hydrogen. Accordingly, Scotland intends to build a North Sea pipeline that will meet land in Lower Saxony. Aiwanger stressed that it was important to quickly connect Bavaria to the German pipeline network, which is to be converted from natural gas to hydrogen in the course of the transformation. Bavaria will quickly put the memorandum of understanding into action, he added. "We have taken a big step forward in the direction of the hydrogen economy through our visit to Scotland - to the benefit of Bavaria," the minister emphasized. More details were not disclosed.

Scotland is not the first country that the Free State is targeting as a hydrogen partner in Europe. Already in mid-May, the Bavarian state government had agreed on an energy partnership with South Africa.

Author: Davina Spohn