Mr. Frank Daly:

In July 2020 the German Government published its hydrogen strategy. This is a very detailed document that provides a step-by-step action plan for the implementation of green hydrogen in the country. A few numbers jump out from the pages of the document - for example, 90 TWh to 110 TWh. That is Germany's projected demand for hydrogen in 2030 to feed industries such as chemical and steel production. Of that amount, 14 TWh, or approximately 15% of demand, is the amount of green hydrogen Germany estimates it will be able to produce domestically by 2030. This means that, in order to decarbonise these hard-to-decarbonise industrial sectors, Germany needs to import the vast majority of its green hydrogen. That is why Germany is reaching out to European colleagues and countries beyond to partner with it in the field of green hydrogen. Germany sees its industrial demand as a catalyst for speeding up the market roll-out of green hydrogen.

Ireland's energy profile is complementary to Germany's. We do not have the large heavy industry that Germany has but we do have vast renewable energy potential, particularly off our coasts. We firmly believe Ireland has the potential to position itself as an exporter of hydrogen to Germany if those resources are fully utilised.

It is for that reason the German-Irish Chamber of Industry and Commerce established the German-Irish Hydrogen Council this year. Our membership includes Irish and German companies, including the ESB, that are involved in offshore wind, electrolysis and hydrogen storage. Our goal is to foster better co-operation between the two countries through engagement at departmental and ministerial level in both jurisdictions, and we strive to lay the groundwork to get business done between Irish and German companies involved in the field of green hydrogen.