It’s an ambitious plan that aims to end Berlin’s dependence on fossil energy and its exporting countries, such as Russia: Germany and Canada want to become hydrogen’s partners.

The German economy minister and his Canadian counterpart signed a declaration in Stephenville, Newfoundland and Labrador province, calling for Canada to send the first green hydrogen ships across the Atlantic starting in 2025.

The Russian invasion of Ukraine has increased the pressure, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said: “The invasion of Ukraine has put us on a fast track to a future that we knew was coming. In the future we will not be independent of oil and gas, but we will be less dependent on oil and gas in general”.

The German Chancellor praised Canada’s vast potential: “We believe that the Canadian Atlantic provinces are a great opportunity for us and Canada to contribute to the energy transition. Canada is a close and relative partner. We need to talk in the short term.

Green hydrogen is produced by splitting water. The resulting gas can only be carbon dioxide-free if electricity for fission comes from renewable energy sources, considered a good base in the Canadian Atlantic provinces.

Ottawa now needs to invest billions in technology and infrastructure development because a green hydrogen production plant is not currently operational. Berlin wants to support German companies importing hydrogen and aims to build a supply chain within ten years. There is still a lot of work to be done.