Hydrogen’s New Reality: Jan Rispens, Renewable Energy Hamburg

In this episode. Hydrogen has long been positioned as a critical part of the energy transition, but can the industry now move from ambitious targets to real projects and infrastructure? This special episode of Inside Energy is produced in partnership with the Hydrogen Technology World Expo and Carbon Capture Technology World Expo, taking place in Hamburg from 20–22 October 2026. Stuart Broadley is joined by Jan Rispens, Founding Managing Director of the Renewable Energy Hamburg Cluster, to explore what he calls the “new reality of hydrogen” as the sector moves beyond the initial hype and towards large-scale deployment. The conversation examines Hamburg’s emerging hydrogen ecosystem, including a 100MW green hydrogen electrolyser at the former Moorburg coal-fired power station, a new hydrogen distribution network connecting industrial users across the port, and infrastructure to support methanol as a fuel for shipping. With all three projects having reached final investment decision and now under construction, Jan explains why 2027 could prove a crucial year for demonstrating that Europe’s hydrogen ambitions can translate into operating infrastructure. Stuart and Jan also explore the challenges holding back the wider hydrogen economy, from complex regulation and uncertain energy prices to the difficulty of synchronising production, infrastructure and industrial demand. They discuss hydrogen’s role in decarbonising Germany’s heavy industry, the rapid growth of battery storage, and why hydrogen may ultimately need to focus on the areas where electrification alone cannot provide the answer. At the heart of the conversation is the question of how Europe can move from hydrogen vision to hydrogen reality — creating the stable regulatory framework, infrastructure and long-term demand needed to turn today’s first projects into a scalable industry. What Is the EIC?  The Energy Industries Council (EIC) is one of the world’s largest energy trade associations. As a not-for-profit organisation, it supports more than 950 member companies involved in the global energy value chain. EIC operates internationally, with offices in London, Kuala Lumpur, Rio de Janeiro, Houston, Dubai, and soon, Berlin. It is energy agnostic, supporting all parts of the energy sector. From mature renewable onshore and offshore sectors like wind, solar and hydropower; to grid infrastructure and large nuclear; to hydrocarbon sectors like oil & gas, LNG, FPSO, decommissioning, upstream, midstream and downstream; to emerging low-carbon sectors like hydrogen, carbon capture, CCUS, energy storage, BESS, biofuels, SAF (sustainable aviation fuels), and geothermal. EIC provides a wide range of services, including access to global market intelligence, CAPEX and OPEX project data, consulting support, events, business development opportunities, and advocacy. It also facilitates connections with key decision-makers and policymakers in the energy sector worldwide. Stay Connected with EIC. ​⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Contact Stuart Broadley about doing your own C-level EIC podcast at Stuart.Broadley@the-eic.com Produced, engineered, and promoted by: Samara Bernardo, Lucas Almeida, João Otero, Isabella Costa, Laura Carvalho, and Clara Machado.