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Hamburg is the new home of the world's leading trade fair for hydrogen
800 exhibitors, 15,000 trade visitors from over 100 countries and state-of-the-art hydrogen technologies - the Hamburg premiere of Europe’s largest hydrogen-focussed event, Hydrogen Technology Expo Europe, was a huge success. The EEHH Cluster Agency organised a joint stand for 20 industrial and energy companies, where it showcased Hamburg as Europe’s leading hydrogen location to an international audience.
North sea hydrogen workshop
Together with five partners from countries bordering the North Sea (NRW.Energy4Climate, Niedersächsisches Wasserstoff-Netzwerk, Netherlands Business Support Office Hamburg, Innovation Norway and Scottish Development International), the EEHH Cluster (represented by Sibyl Scharrer, Project Manager International Cooperation Hydrogen) organised an international hydrogen workshop at Taylor Wessing in the run-up to the trade fair. The aim was to provide an insight into current projects along the hydrogen supply chain in the North Sea region, discuss obstacles and opportunities and establish new business partnerships. Over 60 hydrogen experts and company representatives attended.
The workshop began with Taylor Wessing explaining the legal framework for the hydrogen market and the necessary infrastructure in Germany. EEHH members, Storenergy GmbH and Hamburg Hafen und Logistik AG, delivered lectures on hydrogen import and storage, as well as transport. Hamburg’s copper manufacturer, Aurubis, took part in a panel debate covering potential business models. Green hydrogen is regarded as a promising solution for the energy system of the future, but is not currently competitive, due to its high price. Funding methods, as well as the clear definition and criteria of green hydrogen, are crucial for accelerating its market launch and delivering its benefits for large-scale industrial decarbonisation, in addition to pilot projects.
International delegations are fascinated by Hamburg’s hydrogen economy
Although the hydrogen trade fair only began a few years ago, it has become an important meeting place for the international hydrogen community. This year, delegations from northern and eastern Europe, Canada and Japan visited the Hamburg Pavilion. During tours conducted by the EEHH Cluster Agency, international companies gained an insight into Hamburg’s hydrogen landscape, established initial contacts and shared ideas and experiences of infrastructure, supply chains and technology with Hamburg-based businesses.
International exchange and cooperation in the hydrogen sector are particularly important for Hamburg. In view of the urgent need to import hydrogen, Hamburg presented its own import strategy two years ago, in order to establish the Port of Hamburg as Europe’s central hydrogen import hub. Collaboration with potential export countries is an important part of this import strategy.
The large electrolyser in Moorburg (Hamburg Green Hydrogen Hub) and the hydrogen industry network are major steps towards the market launch of green hydrogen in Hamburg. Both these milestone projects often get media coverage due to their receipt of IPCEL funding and they generated a great deal of interest among international delegations at the trade fair. Air Products, Mabanaft and Airbus also attracted a large number of visitors. The first two companies want to implement the New Energy Gate project in the Port of Hamburg. This involves building an import terminal for green ammonia. Air Products plans to crack imported ammonia to produce hydrogen at its own site and distribute this from 2027 onwards. Airbus used a large model aircraft on the stand to demonstrate how zero-emission aviation will work in future. Airbus is developing and testing an aeroplane with fuel cell drive technology named ZEROe and aims to launch the world’s first hydrogen aircraft by 2035.
TransGlobal Events hosts the Hydrogen Technology Expo Europe every year; the next event is scheduled to take place from 21 to 23 October 2025 in Hamburg.
About Jingkai Shi
Hamburg is the model region for the energy transition and the Germany’s wind capital with connections all over the world. The local renewable energy sector is thus a key partner for the international energy industry. In my role as a contact person for international cooperation in renewables, I’m responsible for REH’s relations with international industry networks, support REH’s members in their international activities, and help Hamburg gain a stronger visibility and perception on the world stage by using social media.