(Vienna / Austria) – Austrian industry faces the challenge of decarbonizing its production processes. To this end, the federal government is relying "on a combination of domestic production and secured imports of hydrogen," said Economics Minister Wolfgang Hattmannsdorfer (ÖVP) at the presentation of key points for a "hydrogen offensive and import strategy".
Minister of Economic Affairs Hattmannsdorfer and Wolfgang Anzengruber, Chairman of the HyPA Advisory Board, presenting the vague plans for Austria's hydrogen future. © BMWET / Holey
According to the report, the state intends to promote electrolysis plants as well as storage and pipeline infrastructure. A "key infrastructure project" is the "development of a southern corridor" and a "new import strategy for long-term security of supply." To this end, the federal government intends to issue two regulations this year: the "Hydrogen Investment Grant Regulation," which governs the allocation of €20 million in funding for electrolysis plants; and the "Hydrogen Certification Regulation" (WstVO), which is intended to implement EU requirements to make "domestic renewable hydrogen eligible for funding" and to certify it according to EU standards so that it becomes "internationally tradable."
Hopes for “South2”
The "Southern Corridor" hydrogen infrastructure project, which has been in the planning phase for years, is of "utmost geostrategic importance." As early as January of this year, Germany, Algeria, Italy, Austria, and Tunisia reaffirmed their intention at a joint ministerial conference to transport large quantities of hydrogen from African production to the European market via pipeline by 2035 ( as we reported ). The participating European countries had already agreed on "SoutH2" in June of last year, and the energy ministers in May 2023.
Hardly any concrete information from the ministry
"Our expertise in grid operation, storage, and technology makes us an indispensable partner in Europe," said Wolfgang Anzengruber, former CEO of Verbund AG and now chairman of the advisory board of "Hydrogen Partnership Austria" (HyPA), which supports Austria's ministries in implementing the 2022 National Hydrogen Strategy. He did not provide any specific examples.
Currently, around 5.800 jobs in Austria are directly secured by hydrogen-related activities. In addition, up to 300.000 employees are indirectly employed in companies related to hydrogen technologies. The Ministry of Economic Affairs expects this employment effect to further increase with the hydrogen initiative through new investments, infrastructure expansion, and growing demand for hydrogen technologies.
Overall, the minister and ministry remained vague about the idea of a "European hub for green hydrogen." The only concrete details were the schedule: The HyPA annual conference will take place on October 22 in Vienna, where policymakers, industry, and researchers will discuss the next steps. Furthermore, the following day, a trilateral working group from Austria, Germany, and Italy will meet with representatives from ministries, grid operators, and regulatory authorities to discuss the financing, development, and regulation of the "South2" infrastructure.
Photo above
The Austrian Ministry of Economic Affairs is planning a hydrogen import strategy. © Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs, Energy and Tourism (BMWET)
