The German Hydrogen Association (Deutscher Wasserstoff-Verband, DWV) states that the Federal Audit Office identifies key challenges that the DWV has also been addressing for a long time. Above all, the ramp-up of the hydrogen economy in Germany is progressing too slowly. The DWV expressly welcomes the call to action for the lead ministries to subject the hydrogen strategy to realistic success control and to quickly make necessary adjustments. Dr. Bernd Pitschak, Chairman of the DWV, explains: "The report of the Federal Audit Office confirms what we have been demanding for a long time: Only with clear demand incentives, rapid procedures, and coordinated planning will the hydrogen ramp-up succeed."
The federal government and parliament should see this process as an opportunity for an honest stocktaking. They should create a resilient and prosperous society with clear priorities in the triad of climate protection, competitiveness, and budget stability.
The analysis of the Federal Audit Office makes it clear that the previous measures have not been sufficiently market-oriented to make green hydrogen competitive. Now, decisive and coordinated action by the federal government is needed.
The DWV sees three measures as particularly urgent:
1. Consistent demand incentives, such as binding quotas and long-term purchase agreements of 10 to 15 years.
2. Accelerated approval procedures for production facilities and infrastructure projects. Concrete proposal: Halving the approval duration.
3. A coordinated national expansion plan that links production, transport, and use in a system-serving manner.
The DWV will accompany the further process with the expertise of its members and provide constructive proposals for a realistic and future-proof market design that will ultimately stimulate private investments.
