Hydrogen Scotland signed a comprehensive Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with AquaVentus at Offshore Europe in Aberdeen. The partnership aims to unlock the North Sea’s vast potential for hydrogen production and establish Scotland as a key supplier to European markets through the development of shared infrastructure.
Both partners are committed to intensifying research activities and advocating for the rapid scale-up of a European hydrogen economy.
By joining forces, members of AquaVentus and Hydrogen Scotland can help advance the development and deployment of technologies along the entire value chain – from production through transport and storage to the use of hydrogen for decarbonising the energy system. In addition, both organisations intend to intensify their supporting activities and jointly advocate for the accelerated ramp-up of a European hydrogen economy.
Jörg Singer, Chairman of AquaVentus said: “Germany, as Europe’s largest industrial hub, depends on reliable supplies of green hydrogen. Working with our partners in Scotland opens up tremendous opportunities: we are combining offshore wind, electrolysis and a joint pipeline infrastructure. In this way, we create security of supply, economic prospects and genuine added value for the energy transition across Europe.”
Offshore wind energy from the North Sea will play a key role in providing climate-neutral energy to surrounding countries. To ensure this energy is used efficiently, combined infrastructures such as electricity grids and hydrogen pipelines are essential. This is precisely where AquaVentus and Hydrogen Scotland come in: by linking wind power, offshore electrolysis and a European hydrogen backbone, the establishment of a transnational energy market can be accelerated. The strengthened German-Scottish cooperation is also reflected in the recent membership of Scottish Enterprise in AquaVentus.
Nigel Holmes, CEO of Hydrogen Scotland, added: “Scotland is uniquely positioned to become a leading exporter of green hydrogen thanks to its vast offshore and onshore wind potential. By working closely with AquaVentus, we are building a bridge across the North Sea – not just between two countries, but for a truly European hydrogen market. This partnership is a milestone on the way to decarbonising energy systems on both sides and reflects the enormous potential for German-British cooperation on hydrogen.”
This opportunity for German-British cooperation on hydrogen is highlighted in a position paper presented by AquaVentus alongside the signing of the MoU. This paper addresses how the requirements of German-British cooperation – as outlined, for example, in the July 2025 Kensington Treaty between the UK and Germany and the European Commission’s Common Understanding published in May 2025 – can be met.
The position paper highlights the significant potential of hydrogen production in Scotland, the necessity of imports for Germany, and references transport infrastructure already under planning. It thus lays the foundation for cross-border hydrogen trade between Germany and the United Kingdom, and for deeper European cooperation in the hydrogen sector, with three essential prerequisites:
- Firstly, the networking of producers and consumers across national borders is critical for a successful market ramp-up
- Secondly, beyond this synchronised production and transport infrastructure, regulatory frameworks must also be harmonised. Hybrid connection concepts (pipes & wires) that integrate both electricity and hydrogen networks provide the necessary flexibility for future energy needs, enable efficient use of renewable energy and ensure cost-effective grid expansion
- Thirdly, the development from a national core network to a European Hydrogen Backbone is emphasised. Projects such as AquaDuctus can serve as a nucleus for building a pan-European hydrogen network that will shape Europe’s energy infrastructure in the long term. For the authors, strengthened cooperation with the United Kingdom is not only a sound energy policy and economic decision, but also a key contribution to European energy resilience.
Robert Seehawer, Managing Director of AquaVentus explains: “The hybrid connection concepts agreed in the coalition treaty, as well as the inclusion of cross-border hydrogen pipelines, should be swiftly enshrined in the Offshore Wind Energy Act (WindSeeG) to create a consistent legal framework. This will make cost-effective offshore electrolysis possible in periods of low energy prices – and at the same time provide an additional business model for offshore wind operators. Together with our partners in Belgium, the Netherlands, Denmark and Norway, we are building the economic, secure and clean Green Power Plant North Sea.”
About AquaVentus: The AquaVentus initiative aims to produce one million tonnes of green hydrogen per year from wind energy in the North Sea and transport it to land by pipeline. More than 100 companies, organisations, and research institutes along the entire value chain have joined forces to create the framework conditions for installing 10 gigawatts of green hydrogen production capacity from offshore wind energy in the North Sea across Europe, and to build the necessary transport infrastructure. Due to its climate-neutral production and storability, green hydrogen is a key factor in decarbonising energy-intensive industries that cannot be electrified. It therefore plays a crucial role in the green energy transition and the energy sovereignty of an entire continent.
UK-Germany joint study on H2 trade: https://www.arup.com/globalassets/downloads/insights/u/uk-germany-joint-study-on-the-trade-of-hydrogen/uk-germany-joint-hydrogen-export-study.pdf
AquaVentus video: www.youtube.com/watch?v=H0i2YpsG3Ug
AquaVentus Position Paper: https://aquaventus.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Position-paper-AquaVentus-UK-GER_Aug25.pdf
