The German Federal Cabinet has approved the draft Hydrogen Acceleration Act, aimed at speeding up the development of hydrogen infrastructure. The law seeks to simplify approval procedures, introduce digital processes, and reduce bureaucracy to accelerate project delivery.

Covering the entire hydrogen supply chain, the legislation applies to onshore and offshore electrolysers, import facilities, storage, pipelines, and plants producing synthetic fuels for aviation and shipping. It sets out clear deadlines, requires digitalisation of processes, and introduces accelerated procurement procedures. Amendments to the Federal Mining Act will also ease rules on natural hydrogen extraction.

Projects covered by the Act will be designated as being in the overriding public interest, ensuring greater priority in approval decisions while maintaining safeguards for water resources and drinking water protection.

The draft law will now be considered by the Bundestag and Bundesrat. It follows earlier measures passed in August 2025 to accelerate hydrogen storage development under the Geothermal Energy Acceleration Act.