German import and infrastructure projects for green hydrogen are taking shape

The transformation of our energy system to a hydrogen economy is a complex process in which individual successes and developments often remain unseen. In the following, we have therefore summarized some important developments regarding import and infrastructure projects of the hydrogen economy in Germany and their relevance for the Boysen-TU Dresden-Research Training Group.

India: Major order for green ammonia

The agreement concluded in 2024 to import green hydrogen from India is becoming a reality. During the visit of German Chancellor Friedrich Merz to India, a supply contract for green ammonia was signed between the Indian company "AM Green" and the almost fully nationalized German "Uniper SE". The contract provides for the supply of up to 500,000 tons per year from 2028. This corresponds to around a fifth of Germany's current ammonia consumption. The agreement is a central component of bilateral hydrogen cooperation, which has been further consolidated at EU level through recent trade agreements with India (for more details, see https://www.uniper.energy/news/de/uniper-und-am-green-unterzeichnen-langfristigen-abnahmevertrag-ueber-bis-zu-500000-tonnen-erneuerbares-ammoniak-pro-jahr-aus-indien).

Saudi Arabia: Energy partnership for green hydrogen

Parallel to the import agreement with India, a comprehensive energy partnership was signed with Saudi Arabia. The key points are the development of a hydrogen infrastructure and the supply of green ammonia (press release from the Federal Ministry of Economics: https://www.bundeswirtschaftsministerium.de/Redaktion/DE/Pressemitteilungen/2026/01/20260131-delegationsreise-nach-saudi-arabien.html). The agreement was signed during the delegation trip by Federal Minister of Economics Katharina Reiche. Among others, the Leipzig-based company "VNG" secured the corresponding delivery quantities. The ammonia will be transported by ship via the port of Rostock, where it will be converted into hydrogen on site in Rostock and fed into the hydrogen core network.

Hydrogen core network: progress in pipeline expansion

Numerous projects are currently pushing ahead with the expansion of the hydrogen core network. The planned pipeline between Denmark and Germany is now receiving billions in additional state funding from both countries to ensure completion by 2030 (more information here: https://tyskland.um.dk/de/news/wasserstoff-pipeline). Other sections are already further along: a 400-kilometre pipeline from Lubmin (Baltic Sea) to Bobbau (Saxony-Anhalt), for example, has already been converted from natural gas to hydrogen and is currently in the test phase (more information: https://www.gascade.de/presse/presseinformationen/presseinformation/gascade-nimmt-400-kilometer-wasserstoff-kernnetz-in-betrieb).

Imports and infrastructure projects: What questions remain unanswered?

The planned hydrogen core network forms an essential foundation for making green hydrogen economically attractive and competitive for both producers and consumers. Nevertheless, key questions regarding market development remain unanswered: who will buy green hydrogen in industrial quantities and at what price?

As already explained in our news from 30.01.2026, the expansion of electrolysis capacities within Germany is only making slow progress. The critical question is whether the extensive import contracts with partner countries are hindering rather than promoting the development of domestic production due to the resulting competitive disadvantages. This is precisely where the research of the Boysen-TU Dresden-Research Training Group comes in. Current developments highlight the strong relevance of the work conducted in Cluster E (‘Hydrogen imports from the MENA region compared to domestic hydrogen production in Germany’) and Cluster H (‘Techno-economic modeling of hydrogen value chains’), which provides the scientific basis for well-informed energy policy and economic decision-making.