19/10/2026 – "From today's perspective, hydrogen is essential in many cases for companies to achieve operational climate neutrality. High costs, regulatory uncertainties, lack of infrastructure, and unclear demand prospects often hinder investments. Therefore, it is all the more important that the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs places greater focus on hydrogen market ramp-up. However, many of the proposed measures are not new. For the ramp-up to succeed, quicker implementation is now crucial. 

Particularly sensible are measures to advance infrastructure development, facilitate imports, and adapt regulations for green and low-carbon hydrogen at the European level. More pragmatic requirements would increase available quantities, reduce costs, and significantly ease the creation of a market. However, support instruments such as carbon contracts for differences (CCfDs) or subsidized lead markets should be used cautiously and for a limited time. While they can assist in the initial phase of the market ramp-up, they must subsequently be scaled back quickly to avoid hindering the development of a free market."