Austria to Become "Center for Green Hydrogen"

To advance the decarbonization of the industry, green hydrogen is needed, especially in sectors that cannot be electrified, affirmed Wolfgang Anzengruber, Chairman of the Advisory Board of the Hydrogen Partnership Austria platform. The former Verbund CEO estimated the demand for green hydrogen by 2040 at around 1.3 million tons. Currently, the hydrogen demand is about 134,000 tons per year, with more than 50 percent in the petrochemical sector and over 40 percent in the fertilizer industry.

"Hydrogen Southern Corridor" as a Central Import Route for Austria

Two-thirds of the hydrogen demand will have to be imported by Austria, according to Anzengruber. A national import strategy is to be developed by the end of 2026. The so-called Hydrogen Southern Corridor, the pipeline connection from North Africa via Italy and Austria to Central Europe, is expected to play an important role. On October 23, representatives from Germany, Italy, and Austria will meet to discuss financing, construction, and regulation of the infrastructure, announced Hattmannsdorfer. In parallel, consultations are underway with partner countries Algeria and Tunisia, which are to supply green hydrogen to Europe in the future.

According to the Ministry of Economic Affairs, hydrogen electrolysis plants with a capacity of 28 megawatts (MW) are currently in operation in Austria. This places Austria 9th in international comparison, with the top positions held by China, Germany, and the USA with 690 MW, 123 MW, and 114 MW respectively, having a significant lead. Per capita, Austria ranks 3rd worldwide in this area. In hydrogen electrolysis, water is split into hydrogen and oxygen using electricity.

(APA/red.)

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