CDU leader Friedrich Merz on the campaign trail
German policy in play as election looms
Country’s emerging clean hydrogen sector faces its first big political test as centre-right party leads in polls
Investors in Germany’s clean hydrogen sector are on tenterhooks as the country prepares for a snap federal election on 23 February. The poll, which comes against a backdrop of stalling economic growth in Germany, follows the collapse last year of the ruling coalition of the Social Democratic Party (SPD), Free Democratic Party and Greens. The ‘traffic light’ coalition had overseen the first phase of growth in Germany’s clean hydrogen sector, pursuing an ambitious plan to to position Germany as a European leader in hydrogen and associated technology. 10GW – 2030 target An updated German hydrogen strategy, published in 2023, called for the deployment of 10GW of electrolyser capacity
Also in this section
6 January 2026
Shifts in government policy and rising power demand will shape the clean hydrogen sector as it attempts to gain momentum following a sluggish performance in 2025
23 December 2025
Government backing and inflow of private capital point to breakthrough year for rising star of the country’s clean energy sector
19 December 2025
The hydrogen industry faces an important choice: coordinated co-evolution or patched-together piecemeal development. The way forward is integrated co-evolution, and freight corridors are a good example
10 December 2025
Project developer Meld Energy ready to accelerate 100MW project in Humber region after securing investment from energy transition arm of private equity firm Schroders Capital
