Overview

• The Regional Development Company North-West Brandenburg (REG) has been preparing for the establishment of its own regional H2 economy for a considerable period of time. In light of the significant presence of renewable energies and the absence of significant industry, it was foreseeable that high-voltage lines alone would not be sufficient to transport energy. It was also clear that H2 molecules would have to be used for this purpose. For this reason, the REG participated in the “H2 Potential Study for North-West Brandenburg” carried out in 2022, time and also deliberately engaged in the H2CE project to elaborate an Action Plan as a follow-up of this first study of the H2 potential in the region, accepting the invitation of the Joint Spatial Planning Department Berlin-Brandenburg (Lead Partner of H2CE) to join this transnational cooperation project as a regional partner from Brandenburg.

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Implementation and Key Activities

The following steps were taken to pave the way for the Action Plan:

• Preparation of preliminary integrated measures. REG was instrumental in establishing the scientific basis at an early stage, ensuring that the potential for hydrogen in the region could be clarified in a timely manner. A number of studies have demonstrated that north-west Brandenburg is well-suited for energy production, including H2 generation.

• To obtain input for the creation of the action plan, several workshops were held, building on each other, at which the participants contributed their own ideas.

• Conflict assessment (ongoing): Participation in the regional H2 network PROOH2V facilitated the establishment of contact with regional stakeholders. This allowed for the identification of their needs and requirements, as well as the challenges they face. Extensive consultations were undertaken with relevant stakeholders, including politicians and administrators, to ensure the involvement of key decision-makers. Concerns regarding H2, particularly from district council representatives, were noted.

• A key element of this initiative was to raise awareness about hydrogen and its potential. This was necessary because many institutions still had reservations based on outdated information.

• Financial planning (support): REG proactively sought out appropriate funding programmes, such as the Interreg project H2CE, from an early stage in order to participate and gain additional expertise and financial support.

 

Results and policy impact

The is the first step in the process. REG's objective is to devise an action plan that will subsequently function as a roadmap for the entire north-west of Brandenburg, with a view to establishing an H2 economy in the region. With the involvement of various stakeholders from the region and other regions, and taking into account previous studies, an action plan is being drawn up with scientific support. This plan provides proposals and recommendations on how to make the region H2-ready that are as precise as possible. The challenge, however, is to establish the necessary structures to ensure that the action plan is not left unused. As the regional H2 network is unable to complete this task independently, it is the responsibility of other stakeholders (district, REG) to provide the necessary personnel and sufficient financial resources.

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​Transferability and lessons learned

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More information

​https://www.reg-nordwestbrandenburg.de/erfolgreicher-h2-workshop-in-neuruppin/