Jul 5, 2021
The Czech Republic's Hydrogen Strategy, prepared by the Ministry of Industry and Trade, aims to achieve climate neutrality by 2050 through the production and utilization of low-carbon hydrogen. The strategy, divided into three implementation phases from 2021 to 2050, prioritizes hydrogen in clean mobility, anticipates operational testing in industries, and foresees full-scale hydrogen transport through pipelines.
Hydrogen Strategy of the Czech Republic - Basic Information
The Czech Republic, along with other EU member states, has committed to achieving climate neutrality by 2050. The Hydrogen Strategy is a significant tool to reach this ambitious goal.
The strategy, prepared by the Ministry of Industry and Trade (MPO), has two strategic objectives:
Reduction of greenhouse gas emissions.
Support for economic growth.
The strategy is based on four pillars:
Production of low-carbon hydrogen.
Utilization of low-carbon hydrogen.
Hydrogen transport and storage.
Hydrogen technologies.
The pillars are interconnected, ensuring a balance between production and consumption. Otherwise, the imbalance will be compensated by imports.
The strategy primarily estimates future hydrogen demand based on forecasts in various sectors. It addresses:
Transportation
Chemical industry
Energy
Energy-intensive industries
Hydrogen technology manufacturers and transport equipment
Hydrogen transport, distribution, and storage
Citizens benefiting from hydrogen technologies and living in a healthier environment.
Hydrogen Production: Current methods of hydrogen production in the Czech Republic are technologically advanced and economical but release significant CO2. Several low-carbon hydrogen production technologies, such as pyrolysis of organic waste or natural gas, appear economically viable but are technically immature. The use of nuclear energy for hydrogen production is seen as promising, but the capacity of nuclear power plants might not suffice. Production of hydrogen from renewable sources, especially photovoltaics, is immediately feasible but limited by local conditions (sunlight and wind availability).
Implementation Phases: The strategy divides the steps into three phases:
Phase 1 (2021-2025): Priority is the use of hydrogen in clean mobility. Integrated projects, where production and consumption are addressed together, are most suitable.
Phase 2 (2026-2030): Operational testing of hydrogen in the industry begins. The Czech Republic will likely become a net importer of hydrogen, similar to its current status with natural gas and oil.
Phase 3 (2031-2050): Full-scale hydrogen transport through pipelines is expected, without the need for subsidies. There will be commercial deployment of hydrogen in the industry.
Applications of Hydrogen: The strategy evaluates various alternatives for hydrogen utilization based on technological readiness and economic viability.
Read the report in Czech here: