After many years of strained relations between Germany and the UK it was reassuring to see that there still exists a mutual desire for cross-border cooperation, at least on energy topics. The occasion was the signing last month in London of a partnership agreement on energy and climate by senior representatives of the two governments. The aim is “to help secure safe, affordable and clean energy for consumers in both nations for the long term and bolster energy security”.

This agreement also incorporates an earlier statement of intent on hydrogen initiatives signed in Berlin in September which included a focus on promoting hydrogen trade. This joint aim, to put it mildly, was surprising given that the UK Government, until very recently, had been publicly opposed to the Scottish Government’s strategy on hydrogen exports. It may be that the urgent demands of energy supply and security are now taking precedence over ideological hostility to “Europe”.

The Scottish Government has been actively engaging on hydrogen topics over the last four years with the German regions, particularly for future export of hydrogen. The Government also co-funded the “Scot2Ger” study which I led and which was published in Summer last year. The analysis considered the complex of elements which would be needed to create a green hydrogen supply chain to Germany.

Scotland needs to stay on Germany’s hydrogen radar - David Scrimgeour