Canada: “Historic” agreement with Germany on renewable hydrogen
The governments of Canada and Germany signed a cooperation agreement on the production and transport of renewable (or green) hydrogen on the second day of German Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s visit to Canada.
German Economy Minister Robert Habeck and Canadian Energy Minister Jonathan Wilkinson signed the agreement at a ceremony held in Stephensville, Newfoundland, in the presence of German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.
Trudeau spoke of a “historic step towards our common future” in his speech. “Our goal is clear: To work towards the first exports of Canadian hydrogen to Germany by 2025,” said the Canadian Prime Minister and added:
“They are also clear: creating middle-class jobs and local growth, while providing clean energy that will help fight climate change.”
For his part, the German Chancellor stated that the agreement will upgrade the cooperation between the two countries to a more “strategic level”.
Olaf Scholz, who is accompanied by Vice Chancellor Hambeck and a large delegation of German products and industries, called the agreement “an important step not only for strengthening bilateral economic relations, but also for a sustainable energy supply in the future.”
Newfoundland in Canada is considered a favorable location for renewable hydrogen production, as it is often windy and sparsely populated.
Pure hydrogen (renewable hydrogen or green hydrogen) is produced through the electrolysis of water and the use of electricity from renewable sources and does not emit greenhouse gases during its production.
Currently, the cost of producing renewable hydrogen is higher compared to buying natural gas, but experts believe that green hydrogen can reduce energy bills in the medium term.
German energy companies Eon and Uniper announced on Tuesday that they had signed a memorandum of understanding with Canada’s Everwind on the sidelines of German-Canadian talks aimed at importing large-scale renewable hydrogen from Canada by 2025.
At the same time, the companies are seeking approval for an agreement to buy up to 500,000 tonnes of ammonia – the chemical used in hydrogen transport – a year.
A green hydrogen and ammonia production facility is to be built in the village of Point Tupper, in the Canadian province of Nova Scotia. “It is at an advanced stage of development and commercial operation will begin in early 2025,” according to Eon.
Also Tuesday, German automaker Mercedes-Benz signed a memorandum of understanding with the Canadian government to promote cooperation and economic opportunities in the supply chain for electric vehicles in Canada.
Source: RES-MPE