Germany’s energy suppliers are skeptical that hydrogen will play a major role in the coming decade: survey

A survey conducted by consulting firm Horváth reveals that Germany’s energy suppliers are highly skeptical about hydrogen’s role in the country’s energy transition over the coming decades. Among the 91 respondents, mostly large utilities, over 90% believe Germany will miss its 2030 target of 10 GW of installed electrolyze capacity, with 57% anticipating that less than 5 GW will actually be installed. Looking further ahead, 87% expect electrolyze capacity to remain below 10 GW even by 2040. Only around one-quarter of respondents foresee significant hydrogen demand in their regions by 2030, indicating a lack of confidence in widespread market adoption. Nevertheless, many companies see strong potential for hydrogen in specific applications, particularly as industrial feedstock or for providing industrial heat. Additionally, 60% of respondents see hydrogen’s potential in heavy-duty transport, such as buses and trucks, while 43% view it as a promising option for electricity storage. The survey highlights the gap between policy ambitions and industry expectations, suggesting that while hydrogen may play a role in niche applications, large-scale deployment in Germany faces significant hurdles in the next decade and beyond.