Germany has long harboured ambitions to become a clean hydrogen economy trailblazer — it sees hydrogen as key for decarbonising its industrial juggernauts as well as power generation, transport and other sectors. The country has made progress towards these ambitions this year, with the launch of innovative support schemes bankrolled by large funding pots, tailwinds for initiatives drawn up in previous years and the green light for construction of a country-wide hydrogen network. But 2024 has also been a year of delays and setbacks that have called into question whether ambitious targets for the end of this decade can be realised. Moreover, Germany now faces an uncertain future with regard to its leadership, after the coalition between the SPD, FDP and Greens party collapsed in early November. While a major change in course is unlikely, the coalition’s breakdown has left the hydrogen sector worried that policy progress could stall until after a new government is formed. As 2024 draws to a close and with a government change on the horizon, this OIES Energy Comment takes stock of Germany’s clean hydrogen ambitions. Across four areas — consumption, domestic production, imports and infrastructure — it examines the progress made, how the different initiatives are intended to play out, and where key challenges lie or new ones have emerged.