German Ambassdor tells Humber business leaders how co-operation is key to energy transformation

The German Ambassador to the UK, His Excellency Miguel Berger pictured with Emma Hardy MP (centre) and RWE’s Corinne Barry who chaired the event.

THE German Ambassador to the UK, His Excellency Miguel Berger, told business leaders in Hull recently how international trade between Germany and the UK, including the Humber, was now more important than ever as Europe moves towards a greener, more sustainable future.

His comments came at an event led by Corinne Barry, the Director for Net Zero – East Coast UK for German renewables giant RWE, which brought together panellists including the Leader of Hull City Council, Cllr Mike Ross, the Leader of East Riding of Yorkshire Council, Cllr Anne Handley, Melanie Onn, the Strategic Adviser for Humber Marine and Renewables and Grimsby’s Labour Parliamentary Candidate, Ruth Carver from the Lincolnshire LEP, James McIntosh, Chief Commercial Officer at CATCH UK, and Duncan Hammond, Manager Humber Decarbonisation Project for Phillips 66.

The local discussions in the Humber ranged from existing energy provision, the future of British steel production, collaboration between industry and academia and the transition to a greener economy.

Before hosting Chatham House roundtable discussions over dinner, Corinne and Ambassador Berger told local business leaders in the audience that there were now 2,500 German companies in Britain, slightly fewer than before Brexit.

The Ambassador said: “Key areas of co-operation include automotive, life sciences and aerospace which are all driving investment, but energy transformation should be a key topic for the future. Following the Russian war in Ukraine, Germany recently signed a climate partnership with the British Government where there was a new focus on energy transformation.”

Mr Berger in particular said: “There are a lot of opportunities for Hull and Humber with the rest of the European Union. Germany needs to build connections with hydrogen producers in the UK to import hydrogen into Germany at scale by means of a pipeline which would be built to take hydrogen directly into Cuxhaven, which provides energy predictability and stability for the future.

“Germany wants to create jobs for the future post Brexit and develop a positive relationship again. I am pleased to see the UK back in Horizon Europe for research and development, but we still need to increase the numbers of people with the relevant skills in renewables.

“Germany is very keen to develop links with the UK and the ports here are very important. We have Siemens Gamesa which has been a great success and provides a huge opportunity to work more closely in the future.”

Introduced by Corinne Barry, Hull MP Emma Hardy thanked the ambassador for visiting Hull and commented: “It’s a real delight to talk to the Ambassador and hear of his shared ambition for the area. We have opportunities now to see the wealth that comes from energy security and business.

“Hull powers the UK - to have the Ambassador here fills me with hope and I would like to have him back to help shape a new identity for the area.

“I will look forward to his next visit and we will make the Great British Energy partnership a great success for the future.”

The German Ambassador to the UK, His Excellency Miguel Berger, pictured with Chamber Chief Executive Dr Ian Kelly (left) and Emma Hardy MP.