Deutschlands Wasserstoffstrategie verzögerte die Elektrifizierung, indem sie die Arbeitskräfte in die falsche Richtung lenkte - CleanTechnica

The article critiques Germany's hydrogen strategy, arguing that it has delayed the country's electrification efforts by misdirecting workforce development and training priorities. Germany's decision to establish a regulated hydrogen pipeline infrastructure—framed as a long-term, central national asset—sent strong signals to regulators, industry, and educational institutions. This led to significant investments in hydrogen-related vocational training, certifications, and organizational restructuring within transmission system operators (TSOs) and other stakeholders. For example, a major German gas TSO invested around €10 million in a hydrogen training center focused on pipeline operation, maintenance, and safety, reflecting a belief in hydrogen's central role in the energy transition. While hydrogen-related skills largely build on existing technical professions such as electricians and engineers, the article emphasizes that these training efforts come with opportunity costs. Limited training time and institutional focus mean that resources devoted to hydrogen competencies detract from investments in electrification technologies like wind turbines, solar panels, heat pumps, and batteries. The author argues that Germany's