The European Union’s hydrogen strategy and the pivotal role Greece can assume in Europe’s future energy landscape took center stage at the second edition of the Hydrogen Conference, themed “Hydrogen Networks: Turning Vision into Action”, organized by DESFA.
With hydrogen assuming a crucial role in attaining the European Union’s climate objectives and diversifying the energy portfolio, the conference convened prominent speakers from the Greek and European energy sectors, financial and technical institutions, national authorities, and academia. The discussions encompassed all facets of the Greek and European hydrogen strategy. Notably, the focus revolved around the necessity of expediting forthcoming regulatory initiatives to establish an integrated hydrogen market. It also emphasized upcoming investments aimed at decarbonizing natural gas networks, with a particular emphasis on Greece’s potential to emerge as a production hub and a key player in hydrogen transportation for Europe.
In her opening address, Maria Rita Galli, CEO of DESFA, highlighted the potential of hydrogen for reshaping the energy landscape in Greece and Europe. She stated, “Hydrogen will play a pivotal role in Greece’s decarbonization endeavors and make a significant contribution to achieving the European objective of climate neutrality by 2050. Greece is on the EU map for technology, production and infrastructure projects and we now need a well-defined, pragmatic, and forward-looking hydrogen strategy to transition from a vision to concrete action and advance the hydrogen value chain within the country. Our ambition at DESFA is to establish a Greek hydrogen transport network over the next 15 years, making a substantial contribution to the coordinated efforts required for fostering a sustainable hydrogen economy in Greece and Europe.”
Maria Spyraki, Member of the European Parliament and EPP rapporteur in the European Parliament for the European Hydrogen Bank, emphasized the critical significance of establishing a competitive hydrogen market in Europe and expediting investments for the development of an extensive network of hydrogen infrastructures. She noted, “All natural gas infrastructures currently in the implementation phase should be designed to accommodate hydrogen effectively.”
Aristotelis Aivaliotis, Secretary General of Energy and Mineral Resources, articulated, “In complete alignment with the European framework, Greece acknowledges the role of renewable gas, as reflected in both the National Climate Plan and national policies. By 2030, we aim to generate 1.7 GW of energy in Greece, dedicated to electrolysis and green hydrogen production, with an increase to 30 GW by 2050. Approximately 65% of our green hydrogen consumption by 2035 will be utilized for the production of synthetic hydrocarbons, primarily intended for transportation.” He further noted that, as part of the European Recovery Fund, “we have proposed a plan with subsidies exceeding 50 million for green hydrogen and methane projects, with a strong emphasis on the former.”
Dimitris Fourlaris, Vice President of the Energy Sector of RAAEY, said: “Greece has been among the latecomers in introducing natural gas into its energy mix. Nevertheless, when it comes to hydrogen, our country must not lag behind. Hence, RAAEY has staunchly endorsed DESFA’s candidacy for the PCIs projects, seeing it as a crucial move toward securing funding for the ‘green’ hydrogen transport pipeline connecting Greece and Bulgaria. To realize decarbonization, it is imperative to ensure energy security and bolster the resilience of the EU’s energy system.”
During the 1st panel of the conference, titled “The EU Framework”, experts delved into the strategic and regulatory advancements within the hydrogen sector. Speakers offered insights into the crucial factors and timetable of the European Union’s hydrogen strategy, along with the pivotal role national gas transmission network operators play in this context. The conversation also extended to the essential steps needed to adapt the gas transmission system to be “hydrogen ready”. Speakers emphasized the challenges and opportunities inherent in this transition. Unanimously, all participants agreed that harnessing the existing natural gas infrastructure represents the most sustainable approach to expedite the integration of hydrogen into the energy mix.
In the 2nd panel, titled “The SE Hydrogen Corridor”, the conversation centered on the potential for establishing a unified hydrogen transport corridor within the Southeast Europe region. Speakers examined the possibility of developing local hydrogen networks and contrasted it with the concept of constructing an interconnected “backbone” of hydrogen pipelines throughout the European Union. Additionally, they discussed the roadmap for realizing the vision of a single hydrogen transport infrastructure spanning Europe. The unanimous consensus among all participants in the discussion was that the creation of the hydrogen corridor in Southeast Europe holds significance not only for the countries directly involved but also for the broader European context.
In the 3rd panel, titled “The Market Needs”, speakers analyzed the prerequisites for initiating the hydrogen market and economy in Greece. High-ranking executives from domestic and international companies provided comprehensive insights into the ongoing hydrogen initiatives within the country, as well as the potential for further growth in the hydrogen market. At the same time, the speakers addressed the obstacles and challenges that need to be surmounted, with particular emphasis on the anticipated support measures from the government to foster the expansion of the hydrogen market.
Following the conclusion of the third panel, Elfride Covarrubias Villegas, Market Director, Italy and Eastern Mediterranean Energy Systems at DNV, presented the findings of the “Hydrogen Forecast to 2050” study. This groundbreaking study aims to anticipate the extent of hydrogen adoption up to the year 2050. It underscores hydrogen’s significant role in global economic decarbonization and addresses key inquiries, including the timing and locations of extensive hydrogen utilization, the economic sectors embracing it, and the advantages of transitioning natural gas pipelines into hybrid or pure hydrogen transport networks.
In the 4th panel, titled “The National Hydrogen Framework and Decarbonization Roadmap”, attendees delved into the heightened hydrogen objectives outlined in the updated National Energy and Climate Plan (NECP). The discussion encompassed the fresh inclusions within the Greek regulatory framework and the revised schedule for decarbonizing the energy landscape. It was agreed among all participants that the establishment of a comprehensive hydrogen economy in Greece would yield multiple economic and social advantages for the country, actively fostering job creation and addressing the issue of brain drain.
Prominent figures from top-tier companies, institutions, and organizations honored the conference as speakers. Among the distinguished participants were representatives from the Ministry of Environment & Energy, the European Parliament, RAAEY, ENTSOG, the Florence School of Regulation, Snam, Hydrogen Europe, RINA, ENAGÁS, the University of Nicosia, IDEA S.A., Motor Oil Hellas, TERNA, BayWa r.e. Projects Greece, Hellenic Hydrogen S.A., Advent Technologies, the Clean Hydrogen Partnership, PwC Greece, CPERI/CERTH, and CluBE.