Federal Minister of Economic Affairs Katherina Reiche has proposed a reform of the National Hydrogen Council (NWR). On June 10, the federal government approved this reform. Shortly thereafter, the federal government appointed the new members of the council. The terms of the current members end on June 30. The new bylaws and membership structure have been in effect since July 1.

In the future, the NWR will have 17 members. They will be nominated by the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy, the Federal Ministry of Research, Technology, and Space, the Federal Ministry of Transportation, the Federal Ministry for the Environment, Climate Action, Nature Conservation, and Nuclear Safety, and the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development.

Ten of the new members are serving on the NWR for the first time, while seven were already members of the previous council. This mix is intended to ensure continuity while also providing new momentum. This is also reflected in the new leadership.

Dohler Replaces His Predecessor; Matthes Remains Deputy

Stefan Dohler has been appointed the new chair of the NWR. The CEO has been a member of the Executive Board of EWE AG since January 2018. Since June 2024, he has also served as president of the BDEW, the German Association of Energy and Water Industries.

Dohler commented on his appointment on LinkedIn. He described the hydrogen ramp-up as a collective effort. It will only succeed if business, science, politics, and society pool their expertise. The ramp-up must be faster and more decisive, Dohler said.

The federal government has appointed Felix Matthes of the Öko-Institut as vice chair. Matthes coordinates research on energy and climate policy at the Öko-Institut. He was already a member of the NWR in its previous composition, serving as vice chair and, at times, as interim chair.

An Overview of the Members

The following individuals are members of the new NWR:

1. Stefan Dohler, EWE – Chairman
2. Dr. Felix Matthes, Öko-Institut – Vice Chair
3. Dr. Tilman Altenburg, IDOS
4. Thomas Behrends, TotalEnergies Leuna
5. Alexander Bercht, IGBCE
6. Dr. Andreas Gorbach, Daimler Truck
7. Gunnar Groebler, Salzgitter AG
8. Dr. Thomas Hüwener, OGE
9. Prof. Dr. Karsten Lemmer, DLR
10. Dr. Velibor Marjanovic, KfW IPEX-Bank
11. Dr. Julia Metz, Agora Industry
12. Dr. Andreas Mündel, DHL
13. Prof. Dr. Karsten Pinkwart, Karlsruhe University of Applied Sciences
14. Dr. Werner Ponikwar, thyssenkrupp nucera
15. Viviane Raddatz, Climate Alliance/WWF
16. Dr. Nicole Schödel, Linde
17. Dr. Kirsten Westphal, BDEW

Of the current members, only seven will remain on the new council: Tilman Altenburg, Andreas Gorbach, Karsten Lemmer, Felix Matthes, Karsten Pinkwart, Nicole Schödel, and Kirsten Westphal.

Among those who are no longer serving are Stefanie Peters (Neuman & Esser) and Prof. Michael Sterner (OTH Regensburg). Katherina Reiche is also stepping down from the council. She served on the council as CEO of Westenergie AG before presenting the reform herself in her capacity as Federal Minister of Economics.

Reform Strengthens Economic Expertise

The reform is intended to streamline the NWR’s governance structure while strengthening the Council’s economic expertise. Experts from academia and civil society will continue to be represented. The reform aims to effectively and efficiently incorporate diverse expertise. The federal government views this as a key factor for the success of the hydrogen ramp-up.

(Source: Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy/2026)