Czech Republic updates its Hydrogen Strategy
The strategy responds to the rapid development of technologies, changes in the legislative framework and new binding European requirements. The update is based on the original plan from 2021, which no longer corresponds to current conditions.
“The update of the Hydrogen Strategy is a crucial step on our path to carbon neutrality. Hydrogen will become an important element of our energy policy. Whether as a substitute for fossil fuels in transport, a carrier for transporting and storing energy, or as a raw material for the chemical industry and a heat source.
This strategy supports our economy and contributes to the protection of the environment” says Minister of Industry and Trade Jozef Síkela, adding: “The strategy creates new opportunities for Czech companies developing and manufacturing technologies for the production, storage and use of hydrogen. Some of them have already succeeded in the international hydrogen technology market.”
The requirements are a part of the National Recovery Plan
The strategy builds on the development of hydrogen infrastructure in the EU following the adoption of the decarbonisation package for the gas market, the regulation on the deployment of infrastructure for alternative fuels and the updated directive on the promotion and use of energy from renewable sources. The main objectives of the strategy are the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions and the promotion of economic growth.
They differ in goals, means and ambitions. The first stage is Local Islands (until 2030). This stage focuses on creating hydrogen valleys with linked production and consumption of renewable hydrogen. By 2030, the goal is to produce approximately 20,000 tons of renewable hydrogen per year, for which it is necessary to build new electrolysers with a capacity of 400 MWe.
The second phase of Global Bridges (2030-2045) focuses on ensuring the import of renewable hydrogen using a Europe-wide network of hydrogen pipelines.
Planned projects such as the Central European Hydrogen Corridor and the Czech German Hydrogen Interconnector will enable the Czech Republic to become part of the European hydrogen ecosystem. The import of renewable hydrogen will make it possible to significantly reduce its price.
The strategy is divided into three stages
The third stage of New Technology (after 2045) focuses on producing renewable and low-carbon hydrogen in the Czech Republic using newly developed technologies. Some studies estimate that the price of hydrogen could drop as low as 2 Euro/kg.
The updated Hydrogen Strategy emphasises the importance of producing and importing hydrogen using electrolysis from renewable sources. It supports the production of low-carbon hydrogen, which will have significant potential in the Czech Republic.
The Ministry of Industry and Trade collaborated on updating the strategy with other organisations such as the Ministry of the Environment, the Ministry of Transport, the Czech Hydrogen Technology Platform HYTEP, the Czech Industry and Transport Association, the Czech Gas Association and others. The material is closely connected with the National Plan of the Czech Republic in energy and climate, the State Energy Concept and the National Clean Mobility Action Plan. “The updated strategy will allow us to find an economically and socially effective way to achieve our goals and ensure sustainable development for future generations” adds Minister Síkela.
