Statement: Canada-Germany Hydrogen Alliance highlights emerging international demand for green hydrogen  

CanREA believes Canada’s vast untapped wind and solar energy resources position it to be a leader in this sector  

Ottawa, August 24, 2022 – Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Germany’s Chancellor Olaf Scholz have signed a joint Declaration of Intent to establish a Canada-Germany Hydrogen Alliance. The announcement was made on August 23rd in Stephenville, Newfoundland and Labrador.

The objective of the alliance is to enable Canada to begin exporting green hydrogen produced from renewable energy sources to Germany starting in 2025. Canada, with its vast untapped wind and solar energy resources, is well-positioned to be a leading supplier and exporter of green hydrogen.

“The Canadian Renewable Energy Association (CanREA) is pleased to see the Canadian and German governments’ desire to capitalize on Canada’s significant green hydrogen production potential,” said Robert Hornung, President and CEO at CanREA. “We welcome the steps that these governments, and the government of Newfoundland and Labrador, are taking to explore green hydrogen production from Newfoundland and Labrador’s abundant wind energy resources.”

While hydrogen can be produced from several different feedstocks, Germany has expressed a clear desire for green hydrogen produced from renewable energy sources. CanREA believes international customers will express a growing preference for green hydrogen going forward, given international commitments to reduce carbon intensity in line with net-zero targets.

CanREA’s 2050 Vision has highlighted the important role green hydrogen must play in helping Canada, and the world, move toward net-zero GHG emissions in areas where electrification is more challenging (for example, industrial processes and freight transportation). It also made it clear that getting to net-zero will require the deployment of new wind and solar energy resources in Canada at an unprecedented scale and speed.

“Building a net-zero world requires collaboration among all stakeholders and levels of government – including our international partners. This announcement between Germany and Canada is another example of how we can collectively work to meet our clean energy needs through international partnerships,” said Hornung.

“CanREA will continue to work with federal and provincial governments to advocate for increased and accelerated wind and solar energy deployment on the national and international stage.”

Background

  • The alliance will see Canada and Germany collaborate to facilitate the production of green hydrogen in Canada, with initial exports to Germany expected to begin in 2025 
  • As part of the alliance, the Government of Canada is tasked with strengthening collaboration with provinces, territories and the private sector.   
  • The alliance will establish a Germany-Canada international trade corridor 
  • The alliance commits Canada and Germany to advancing research and development to support hydrogen production, infrastructure, and supply chains.  
  • The alliance commits both countries to enabling investment in hydrogen projects via policy  

Quotes

“The Canadian Renewable Energy Association (CanREA) is pleased to see the Canadian and German governments’ desire to capitalize on Canada’s significant green hydrogen production potential.” 

“We welcome the steps that these governments, and the government of Newfoundland and Labrador, are taking to explore green hydrogen production from Newfoundland and Labrador’s abundant wind energy resources.”   

“Building a net-zero world requires collaboration among all stakeholders and levels of government – including our international partners. This announcement between Germany and Canada is another example of how we can collectively work to meet our clean energy needs through international partnerships.” 

“CanREA will continue to work with federal and provincial governments to advocate for increased and accelerated wind and solar energy deployment on the national and international stage.” 

– Robert Hornung, President and CEO at CanREA  

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About the Canadian Renewable Energy Association  

The Canadian Renewable Energy Association (CanREA) is the voice for wind energy, solar energy and energy storage solutions that will power Canada’s energy future. We work to create the conditions for a modern energy system through stakeholder advocacy and public engagement. Our diverse members are uniquely positioned to deliver clean, low-cost, reliable, flexible and scalable solutions for Canada’s energy needs. For more information on how Canada can use wind energy, solar energy and energy storage to help achieve its net-zero commitments, consult “Powering Canada’s Journey to Net-Zero: CanREA’s 2050 Vison.” Follow us on Twitter and LinkedIn. Subscribe to our newsletter here. Become a member here. Learn more at renewablesassociation.ca  

For more information or for interview opportunities, please contact: 

Communications 
Canadian Renewable Energy Association 
647-268-3382 
communications@renewablesassociation.ca