- Expert sees Saxony as a pioneer in green hydrogen
Saxony plays a central role in the assessment of the National Hydrogen Council of the Federal Government in this technology in Germany. "Saxony has made a significant contribution to the establishment of a hydrogen economy in our country and is well on its way to positioning itself as a leading national actor for green hydrogen technologies," said Council Chairwoman Katherina Reiche after a meeting of the Saxon Innovation Council in Dresden. What is special is that the entire value chain for hydrogen is present here. With its strong industrial locations, Saxony is excellently positioned, "when the hydrogen upswing gains momentum". It is about increasing the pace.
The Saxon Innovation Council was established by Minister President Kretschmer in August 2019. It consists of 18 members from politics, economics, science, and administration. The Council is to help Saxony to tap innovation potential and support the government in structural development in the lignite regions as well as in transformation processes. The Council has now drawn a positive interim balance. Saxony has expanded its role as a driver of future technologies in the past five years. The settlement of two major research centers and new investments in the semiconductor industry were mentioned as examples.
Saxony, the land of inventors and discoverers
Saxony has always been a land of inventors and discoverers for him, said Wolfgang A. Herrmann, who heads the Innovation Council. "At the same time, my confidence has grown with every meeting that Saxony has the best prerequisites to become a model region for a successful structural change in Germany and Europe, if the right political decisions are made and corresponding framework conditions are created in the future." He emphasized the importance of openness in this context. Saxony needs immigration. People go where they can live well and breathe freely.
Kretschmer: Implementing innovations and not talking them to death
"The committee shows how clever ideas can grow into concrete initiatives. Thanks to the expert knowledge of the Council, we as the state government have been able to bring important projects in and for Saxony on the way," said Minister President Michael Kretschmer (CDU). The network has developed a great deal of power. Council and government will continue to have the goal of successfully implementing innovations and not talking them to death in the future. "Instead of bureaucratic hurdles for new ideas and investments, we need technological openness and flexibility." Kretschmer wants to continue the committee in the next legislative period. "One must always look beyond one's own horizon."
Guests of the ninth council meeting included Katherina Reiche among others, the Vice-President of the European Investment Bank, Nicola Beer, and the President of the European Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Christian Koitzsch. He reported on the progress of the settlement of the Taiwanese chip company TSMC in the northern part of Dresden.
I'm not planning to attend the discussion about potential hydrogen projects outside of Saxony, as my focus is on the developments within our region.
However, it's important to note that while I'm committed to driving innovation in Saxony, the success of green hydrogen technologies in Germany as a whole will also require the active participation and support of other regions.
