Greece’s hydrogen strategy
Greece is setting ambitious targets for the production of green hydrogen, the fuel that will complete the energy transition equation by replacing fossil fuels in sectors that are difficult to electrify, such as heavy industry and transport. This is through a national policy based on the equally ambitious goals set by the European Union, as part of its strategy for climate neutrality (Fit for 55) and disengagement from Russian fuel (REPowerEU).
In this environment, Greece is devising its own strategy for the inclusion of hydrogen in its energy mix and is claiming a role as a green hydrogen junction due to the natural gas pipelines that pass through its territory, as well as those that are in the planning stage.
The EastMed gas pipeline could become “the EU’s hydrogen supply backbone in the long term,” according to an opinion piece recently expressed in German newspaper Handelsblatt by Greece’s General Secretary for Energy Alexandra Sdoukou.
The roadmap for the inclusion of hydrogen in the country’s energy mix was completed by the 20-member committee of the Interior Ministry and is expected to be presented next Monday at a special event co-organized by the European Hydrogen Association, the Regional Authorities of Crete, Western Macedonia and Thessaly, and the commission for drawing up a national hydrogen strategy.
In 2040, according to the strategy, Greece will be able to produce about 3 metric tons of oil equivalent (Mtoe) of green hydrogen and export 1 Mtoe, while in 2050 it could produce 7.4 Mtoe and export 2.3 Mtoe, which corresponds to an export value of 1.6 billion euros per year.
The total turnover of the hydrogen supply chain in Greece will be in the order of €10 billion per year in 2050. By then, approximately 60 gigawatts of renewable energy sources will be required to power electrolysis units (30 GW by 2040). The national strategy envisages fast-tracking renewable energy project licensing procedures for hydrogen production, licensing and grid connection and government subsidies until 2030 due to the immaturity of the technology, a factor that makes investment costs very high.
