The current study by the Renewable Energy Cluster Hamburg (EEHH) shows that the renewable energy sector is a central economic and innovation factor in Hamburg and the metropolitan region. According to a conservative calculation, the industry currently has around 31,000 jobs and 5.3 billion euros in gross value added.
In the period from 2010 to 2025, an annual growth in gross value added of over eleven percent was also recorded. The largest sub-sector of the industry is wind energy, with around 13,000 jobs. At the same time, the study shows a high level of dynamism in areas such as smart energy systems and grids, solar and bioenergy, as well as a strong research and innovation landscape with growing start-up activity.
Dr. Melanie Leonhard, Senator for Economic Affairs, Labor and Innovation: “The energy transition has long been an important economic factor. Especially in renewable energies and hydrogen, we have developed great strengths in the north. We want to use this to secure value creation and jobs and create new opportunities. The Hamburg Renewable Energy Cluster is an important driver in this regard.”
Jan Rispens, Managing Director of the EEHH Cluster: “For us, the study is above all an excellent basis for further developing our cluster strategy up to 2030. The dynamic technological and price developments – for example in the field of battery storage – are fundamentally changing the framework conditions of the energy industry. The study helps to classify current developments and to derive perspectives for the further development of the cluster.”
The study was conducted by a consortium of Prognos AG and cruh21 – Part of Drees & Sommer. The authors also conclude that, with around 50 projects, Hamburg and the metropolitan region are well positioned for the ramp-up of the hydrogen economy. In the future, hydrogen and its derivatives are to supply industry, shipping, aviation and logistics, among others, with climate-neutral energy sources.
Katharina Wilkskamp, author of the study at Prognos AG: “Our study took a deep look into the industry and sub-sectors with a mixed-method approach analysis. The study makes it clear that the Hamburg metropolitan region is one of the most dynamic locations for the energy transition in Germany today. This is reflected not only in employment and value creation, but also in a strong research landscape, a growing start-up scene and close networking of the players. It is precisely this combination that makes the site fit for the next phase of the energy transition. EEHH plays a major role in this development, which reflects the broad appreciation within the industry.”
Martin Wilferth, author of the study for the hydrogen sector of the study at cruh21 – Part of Drees & Sommer: “The ramp-up of the hydrogen economy is a key prerequisite for the decarbonisation of energy-intensive industry, as well as shipping, aviation and long-haul logistics. With around 50 projects, the metropolitan region already has a broadly diversified and dynamic hydrogen ecosystem. Hamburg has the potential to establish itself as a major hub for the production, import and distribution of hydrogen and hydrogen-based energy sources in Northern Europe. The Port of Hamburg plays a key role in this.”
