Hamburg and Japan: a burgeoning partnership for a renewable future

Following last year’s successful premiere, the Hydrogen Technology World Expo – Europe's leading trade fair for hydrogen and fuel cell technology – once again recorded positive results in 2025: 300 international speakers, 1,000 exhibitors and 18,000 visitors. The EEHH Cluster Agency joined with 15 companies from the private and municipal sectors to represent Hamburg's hydrogen ecosystem at the trade fair. The international audience showed immense interest, and the delegations from Japan in particular were keen to learn more about Hamburg and the north German hydrogen market. The get-together further strengthens the close ties between Hamburg and a number of Japanese regions.

Hamburg’s hydrogen economy is generating considerable attention in Japan.

Several Japanese delegations visited the EEHH joint stand during the trade fair days. An introductory presentation at the touch table and one-on-one discussions with fellow exhibitors highlighted Hamburg's strengths and potential in the field of hydrogen. Whether it was representatives of large corporations such as Kawasaki and Mitsubishi or the Japanese Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, visitors were enthusiastic about the strategy, projects and technological innovation that Hamburg has deployed to achieve climate neutrality by 2040. The EEHH Cluster Agency was particularly pleased to note that the contacts established during the most recent Japan trips (Smart Energy Week 2024 and Osaka World Expo 2025) were further intensified during the event.    

Fukushima-Hamburg Research Dialogue

Fukushima is seen as a pioneering region for hydrogen research in Japan. Home to the Fukushima Renewable Energy Institute (FREA), the region has one of the country's most important public research centres with a focus on technology-oriented research, development and innovation in the field of renewable energies. The newly established Hydrogen Energy Research Institute at Fukushima University continues to build on the expertise in hydrogen research. The Fukushima Hydrogen Energy Research Field (FH2R) – the world's largest demonstration facility for the production and research of green hydrogen – is also situated there.

In Hamburg, research along the renewable value chain is brought together within the Hamburg Energy Research Network (EFH). The alliance of five major public universities in Hamburg operates as a central platform for regional research, innovation and international networking.

Scheduled for mid-November and coordinated by the EEHH Cluster Agency, the first Hamburg-Fukushima Research Dialogue will bring together the EHF members Hamburg University of Applied Sciences (HAW), University of Hamburg and research institutions from Fukushima. The event marks the first step in efforts to build on the partnership between Fukushima Prefecture and the City of Hamburg, with a clear focus on scientific networking.

New milestone for the hydrogen import infrastructure in Hamburg

Daimler Truck AG, Hamburger Hafen und Logistik AG (HHLA) and Kawasaki Heavy Industries Ltd. used the Hydrogen Technology World Expo to sign a Memorandum of Understanding to establish a supply chain for green liquid hydrogen via the Port of Hamburg to the European hinterland.

The most recent hydrogen import study by the City of Hamburg suggests that importing liquefied hydrogen will be technically feasible and economically viable by 2045. It will, however, be necessary to build new infrastructure (partly funded by private investors) at the Port of Hamburg for the import and storage of liquid hydrogen and ammonia. The seaward infrastructure at the Port of Hamburg is adequate to handle the seaborne import volumes of green hydrogen and its derivatives that are progressively forecast until 2045 and hence cover 47% of Germany’s total seaward import demand. For Hamburg, this cooperation marks yet another important milestone in the establishment of its hydrogen import infrastructure.

Outlook for 2026

The year 2025 is slowly drawing to a close, and the EEHH Cluster Agency is already fleshing out its plans for 2026. Japan is a mainstay in its internationalisation strategy. The following provides an overview of the most important activities associated with Japan.

January: Business seminar with Fukushima

Hamburg expects to welcome a high-ranking business delegation led by Governor Masao Uchibori from Fukushima in January. Fukushima Prefecture and the City of Hamburg will use the occasion to sign a renewal of their Memorandum of Understanding. As a supporting event, the EEHH Cluster Agency is organising a seminar entitled “Hamburg-Fukushima Renewable Energy Roundtable” to promote economic and scientific exchange in the fields of hydrogen and sector coupling. For agenda and registration, please see here.

March: EEHH Cluster Agency at the Smart Energy Week in Tokyo

Smart Energy Week in Tokyo is one of the preeminent trade fairs for renewable energies in the Asia-Pacific region. Seven sectors come together to showcase their products and services: wind energy, solar power, hydrogen, battery technology, smart grids, biomass and emission-free thermal power stations. The EEHH Cluster Agency will take part for the first time as a co-exhibitor at the joint stand of the international wind association World Forum Offshore Wind (WFO) in the Wind Expo hall. The aim is to raise Hamburg’s visibility in the international wind sector.

Hamburg Invest (as part of the Hy5 initiative) and the University of Hamburg will also be there to strengthen the city’s position as a key hydrogen location in north Germany. There are also plans to visit Fukushima and tour local hydrogen/ammonia projects.

Autumn: the leading trade fairs in Hamburg

The EEHH Cluster Agency will host additional joint activities with its cooperation partner Fukushima in and around the leading trade fairs WindEnergy Hamburg and Hydrogen Technology World Europe 2026.

Member companies that are interested in the Japanese market or Smart Energy Week 2026 are invited to contact Jingkai Shi, International Cooperation Renewable Energies, jingkai.shi@eehh.de at any time.