STRING is a collaboration between 8 regions and 5 major cities in northern Germany, eastern Denmark, southwestern Sweden and southern Norway – in the corridor from Oslo to Hamburg. The ambition for the collaboration is to develop a northern European mega-region as a strong green hub as well as a green transport corridor.
More heavy traffic
Heavy road transport is responsible for 27 per cent of CO2 emissions from the transport sector in the EU. In 2030, CO2 emissions from heavy road transport must be reduced by 30 per cent. With the fixed connection over the Fehmarn Belt, traffic – and especially heavy traffic – is expected to increase in the corridor between Hamburg and Oslo.
Must be able to refuel hydrogen
In order to fulfil the ambitions to reduce CO2 emissions, it is a prerequisite that the trucks switch from diesel to more sustainable forms of energy such as electricity and hydrogen. And for the latter to be possible, there has to be an opportunity to refuel with hydrogen on the route.
The STRING collaboration has therefore started work towards establishing 12 hydrogen filling stations on the route between Hamburg and Oslo – and, therefore, a number of them in Region Zealand.
Partnership with the OECD
STRING entered into a partnership with the OECD in 2020 to determine which areas STRING should focus on to fulfil the cooperation’s ambitions. One of the OECD’s recommendations is to establish a hydrogen corridor. This recommendation is now a project under the auspices of STRING and several other public and private parties.
The German state of Schleswig-Holstein and Region Zealand are responsible for the project. Schleswig-Holstein is the lead partner and has overall project responsibility. Region Zealand has administrative responsibility for the project.
The EU supports with 12 million
At a meeting in October, Region Zealand’s committee for regional development, education, public transport and international cooperation was informed that the EU program Connecting Europe Facility (CEF) would support the project with 12 million euros.
Region Zealand must shell out up to 200.000 euros spread over four years. The expenditure is included as part of Region Zealand’s Budget for 2023.
Change internal transport
In addition to contributing to the green transformation of the increasing truck traffic in the corridor between Hamburg and Oslo, the hydrogen stations also improve the opportunities in Region Zealand. The Zealand companies will also be able to convert their internal transport with trucks and buses to hydrogen. In addition, regional public transport and other heavier transport can have better opportunities to join the green transition.
Must attract power to X
According to Region Zealand, the location in STRING’s green corridor is a starting point in relation to strengthening the region’s green profile in general. But it is equally the ambition to support knowledge building around hydrogen at the region’s research and educational institutions. Finally, a hydrogen infrastructure can also help Region Zealand to make itself interesting for Power to X companies and institutions.
How many of the 12 hydrogen stations will be placed on the Danish part of the Hamburg – Oslo route is unclear.
