Economics Minister Nicole Hoffmeister-Kraut is traveling to Scotland with a delegation to promote further joint activities in the areas of renewable energies, hydrogen and the decarbonisation of industrial processes. To this end, a “Memorandum of Understanding” is to be signed with Scotland.
With a delegation of around 40 people, Economics Minister Dr. Nicole Hoffmeister-Kraut will be in Glasgow in Scotland for two days on November 28, 2022 to identify new fields of cooperation in the future field of hydrogen.
The Economics Minister used the trip as an opportunity to sign a “Memorandum of Understanding” with Scotland on behalf of Prime Minister Winfried Kretschmann . This is intended to promote further joint activities in the areas of renewable energies, hydrogen and the decarbonization of industrial processes, among other things.
“The production, transport and use of green hydrogen are increasingly becoming a location factor for the economic development of individual regions, including Baden-Württemberg. Reliable partnerships with regions of the world, with whom we share common ideas of responsible management, are essential for Baden-Württemberg as a business location,” emphasized Hoffmeister-Kraut at the start of the trip. For the relationship with the United Kingdom, the Minister for Economic Affairs founded a special BW-UK partnership initiative at the beginning of 2020 .
Scotland and Baden-Württemberg share common values and interests
As partners in the “Under2Coalition” and other international networks, Scotland and Baden-Württemberg share common values and interests in the sustainable protection of the environment, people and prosperity.
Ivan McKee, Scottish Minister for Business, Trade, Tourism and Enterprise on his country’s role in hydrogen production: “We are committed to playing a key role in meeting the growing hydrogen needs of importing countries like Germany. Our huge potential for renewable energy production, our long history of energy production and our proximity to mainland Europe make us an ideal partner to ensure Europe’s long-term security of supply of green hydrogen. It is important that we work together to share knowledge, develop the sector rapidly and promote the growth of the global hydrogen market. The signing of our letter of intent underlines this.”
The focus of the business delegation trip to Scotland is the exchange with Scottish experts on current technology trends and perspectives in the fields of hydrogen and fuel cell technology. The aim of the trip is to initiate and deepen contacts between relevant actors in Baden-Württemberg and Scotland and to identify opportunities for technological and economic cooperation.
Partnership with Scotland is a win-win situation
“The partnership with Scotland is a win-win situation for both sides: Baden-Württemberg can provide technologies for the production of green hydrogen, which is then also delivered to us,” says Hoffmeister-Kraut. According to the minister, the topic of hydrogen is currently experiencing new dynamics against the background of the energy crisis caused by the Russian war of aggression and security of supply. In order to ensure a climate-friendly, resilient and diversified energy supply, green hydrogen will become the fourth pillar of the energy transition in the medium term, alongside energy efficiency, renewable energies and electrification. “We want to use the opportunities that arise for both sides through cooperation with our Scottish partners in a targeted and long-term manner.
Minister McKee also welcomed the visit of the business delegation from Baden-Württemberg: “I am delighted to welcome Minister Hoffmeister-Kraut and her business delegation to Scotland to learn more about Baden-Württemberg’s hydrogen ambitions and expertise in mechanical and plant engineering and to show our German friends first-hand how we intend to make Scotland a major hydrogen exporter.”
Scotland has the natural resources and political aspiration to become a world leader in the production of green hydrogen for domestic use and for export to Europe. The Scottish coasts offer great potential in the field of wind power, but also in wave and tidal power plants. With numerous pilot and demonstration plants, Scotland is in the process of scaling up these areas. The value chain in Baden-Württemberg, on the other hand, offers numerous opportunities both for the upstream provision of components for hydrogen production and for downstream sales.
Read the most up to date Fuel Cell and Hydrogen Industry news at FuelCellsWorks
The business delegation trip was organized and conceptually prepared by Baden-Württemberg International and e-mobil BW on behalf of the Ministry of Economics, Labor and Tourism. The accompanying companies have the opportunity to get to know other Scottish hydrogen projects and to make contacts on two further travel days in Aberdeen.
