H2-diplo - Decarbonization Diplomacy

Advancing Green Hydrogen for Ukraine's Energy Transition and Reconstruction 🌍🌱   #Ukraine is forging ahead with green hydrogen as a strategic pillar for its green reconstruction, despite ongoing challenges induced by Russia’s war of aggression. Together with the International Power-to-X Hub and #H2Uppp, H2-diplo - Decarbonization Diplomacy Ukraine hosted a side-event at the European Hydrogen Week in #Brussels last week on how to #finance and #derisk Ukraine’s green hydrogen ramp-up. Here are the key takeaways:      🔋 Hydrogen visions for Ukraine: A Ukrainian hydrogen strategy is in the pipeline, with a clear political ambition to engage in this emerging sector. GH2 is not only seen as an economic opportunity but also as a tool for decarbonization, energy decentralization, and further alignment with the EU.   🤝 The role of international collaboration: Partnerships with Germany and the EU bring technical expertise, funding opportunities, and regulatory alignment to the table. At the #EUH2Week2024, Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit GmbH and N1 Capital signed a Memorandum of Understanding (#MoU) under the #H2Uppp programme to explore a green hydrogen pipeline-bound public-private partnership (#PPP) in Western Ukraine. The MoU aims to assess the feasibility, environmental impacts, and legal requirements for hydrogen feed-in to the Central European Hydrogen Corridor and develop scalable projects in Uzhgorod and Mukachevo, near Poland and Slovakia   🌍 Challenges Ahead: Energy infrastructure risks from ongoing Russian attacks, heavy reliance on foreign capital, and offtake uncertainties impede investment security. Moreover, the chicken-and-egg dilemma is omnipresent in the green hydrogen sector, with potential investors hesitant to commit to large-scale production without guaranteed demand, while potential consumers are reluctant to invest in green hydrogen infrastructure without stable and assured supply.   🚀 Opportunities: Ukraine’s vast natural gas pipeline network can offer possibilities for exporting GH2 to Europe. Abundant wind and solar resources make renewable scaling feasible. Smaller scale pilot-projects can provide valuable learning- and investment experience and pave the way for utility-scale projects.   A huge thank you to all speakers who made this important event possible, as well as to the online and in-person participants who stopped by! Let’s support and explore how collaboration in the hydrogen sector can drive a greener, stronger Ukraine. 🌱🇺🇦   Mykola Kolisnyk Julia Kahrl Dr. Valentyn Gvozdiy Torsten Merkel Mykola Iakovenko Dr. Christian Storost Frank Mischler #GreenHydrogen #EnergyTransition #UkraineReconstruction #Sustainability #InternationalCooperation #H2-diplo #EUH2Week2024 

🤩 Yesterday, our H2-diplo Office in Astana was happy to host a conference on “International cooperation for Kazakhstan’s Energy Transition” for the opening of the “Energy in Transition – Powering Tomorrow” travelling exhibition’s visit at Nazarbayev University in Astana.   The conference marks the official opening of the exhibition including welcoming words of Nazarbayev University’s president Prof. Waqar Ahmad, her Excellency, the Ambassador of Germany to the Republic of Kazakhstan, Monika Iwersen, the Ambassador of the EU to Kazakhstan, Aleška Simkić, and the Head of the H2-diplo office, Manuel Andresh.  The opening event offered the opportunity to exchange within three panel discussions on a variety of topics of the energy transition with stakeholders from politics, science and the economy:   · Green Hydrogen in Kazakhstan: Progress and Plans (Importance for Decarbonization) · Development of Renewable Energy in Central Asia · Improving Energy Efficiency in Buildings   While Talgat Karashev from the Ministry of Energy highlighted Kazakhstan’s ambitions for a green transition on a political level and the importance of international cooperation, the panel also discussed potential challenges in decarbonization efforts with green hydrogen. Manuel Andresh, from H2-diplo gave examples of potential risks and how to overcome them for a successful transition. Peline Atamer from OECD enriched the discussion on risks with important de-risking strategies and policies to mitigate and address risks like uncertain marked demand. To set the scene on further discussions, Mr. Nurym Noyanbayev, from Energo University, gave an overview on different H2 production and application options and Sapar Bektassov from TRACECA (Transport Corridor Europe-Caucasus-Asia) presented potential hydrogen transportation routes that are essential part of a successful hydrogen ramp-up. To further discuss perspectives of the private sector, Green spark, a Kazakh company of the power sector, presented first examples on their approach towards a “green economy” and presented first pilot projects to decarbonize the oil and gas business.   The second panel on renewable energy – a prerequisite of green hydrogen - focused on discussing the political and economical necessities for removing barriers to renewable energy integration in Central Asia, encouraging regional collaboration, and identifying practical pathways to create sustainable, resilient, and low-carbon energy systems in the region. Our last panel focused on energy efficiency in buildings in Kazakhstan, addressing the latest strategies, technologies, and policies aimed at improving energy performance in the construction and renovation of buildings – still a field of action offering a lot of potential for emission reductions in Kazakhstan.   We are looking forward to more fruitful discussions with visitors of the exhibition during its visit in Astana. #h2diplo #GreenHydrogen #EnergyTransition #diplomergy

🌍💡 Reminder: Join us on Wednesday at the European Hydrogen Week for a Side-Event on Ukraine’s hydrogen future!   🇺🇦🇩🇪 H2-diplo - Decarbonization Diplomacy and the International Power-to-X Hub invite you to an engaging panel discussion on financing and #derisking Ukraine's hydrogen economy - a critical step toward advancing its energy transition and future hydrogen plans. With the official kickoff of a #PPP between #GIZ and #N1Capital, initiated by #BMWK, the event will also show that there are already concrete steps to drive forward investments in hydrogen projects in #Ukraine!   🗓 When? November 20th, 2024, 11:30 AM – 01:00 PM CET 📍Where? European Hydrogen Week, Brussels Expo, Room 1121 (Hall 11 – 2nd Floor)    Speakers include: - Mykola Kolisnyk, Deputy Minister, Ministry of Energy of Ukraine - Julia Kahrl, Deputy Head of Division of Energy Foreign Policy, Auswärtiges Amt (Federal Foreign Office) Germany - Dr. Valentyn Gvozdiy, Chairman of the Supervisory Board, Ukrhydroenergo - Torsten Merkel, Chief Executive Officer and Co-Founder, N1 Capital - Dr. Mykola Iakovenko, Senior Policy-Officer, Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin - Dr. Christian Storost, Head of Division Hydrogen Ramp-Up, Bundesministerium für Wirtschaft und Klimaschutz - Frank Mischler, Director, International Power-to-X Hub 🌟 Can't join us in person? No worries! A livestream link will be provided upon registration.  👉 Register now under: https://lnkd.in/dac_gcWs   #HydrogenFuture #EnergyTransition #SustainableInvestments #EUH2Week2024 #Ukraine #InternationalPtXHub #H2Uppp

🔊 #H2diplo Nigeria on study tour to Germany 🇳🇬🇩🇪 📣 Recap on the second part of our study tour organized by the H2-diplo Nigeria team which had in attendance a high-level delegation of decision makers from Nigeria’s public and private sector to Germany, headed by the Hon. Uche Nnaji, Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation. 🌐 After rounding up conversations in Berlin, the tour had a second stop in Hamburg where the delegation took part in the Hydrogen Technology Expo Europe 2024. The Expo is dedicated to discussing advanced technologies for the hydrogen and fuel cell industry. Members of the delegation benefited from valuable insights into the entire hydrogen value chain and innovations for low-carbon hydrogen production. During the 2-day visit, the delegation had the chance to interact with the more than 200+ solution providers. The Expo provided opportunity for members of the delegation to hold bilateral conversation with equipment manufacturers and OEM. A warm thank you to Erneuerbare Energien Hamburg (EEHH) and Norddeutsches Reallabor for meeting with our delegation at the Expo and for the insightful discussions. The impact of these conversations cannot be over emphasized as Nigeria prepares to develop its national hydrogen policy. 🌍 The delegation went on to visit the H2Global Stiftung, an essential funding program for the global hydrogen market uptake. We did not only learn about the famous chicken-and-egg dilemma in the H2 production and offtake and how the #H2Global double-sided auction mechanism is helping to overcome it. But our delegation also learnt about the preparation of the second tender, in which Nigerian companies can as well bid for the African continent contingent. 🛥️ The study tour was rounded up by a boat tour through the Hamburg port. We learned about Hamburg’s decarbonization targets and gained insides into the global shipping industry. But we also enjoyed the chance to unwind and appreciate another perfectly sunny fall-afternoon in Hamburg. 🎉The aim of the study tour is the transfer of international best practice and knowledge exchange regarding investment and regulatory environment to develop green hydrogen and its derivatives in Nigeria. 📢 Massive thanks to all hosts and partners for the fruitful exchanges!   ⚡ H2-diplo is implemented by Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit GmbH (GIZ) on behalf of the Auswärtiges Amt (Federal Foreign Office) Germany and is financed by the International Climate Initiative. #germannigeriacooperationat50 Bassey Obeten, Maria Noack, Alexandra S., Joshua Yari Garba, Duke Benjamin, Kristina (Tina) Fürst Ibrahim Sulu, Abdur-Rasheed 'Tunde Omidiya

🇺🇦🇩🇪 H2-diplo Ukraine @ the #EUH2Week2024!   Join us for our side event at the European Hydrogen Week for an engaging panel hosted by H2-diplo - Decarbonization Diplomacy and the International Power-to-X Hub! We will discuss key strategies for financing and de-risking Ukraine's hydrogen economy to explore what can be done today to finance and prepare for Ukraine’s energy future. 🕓 When? 20 November 2024 from 11:30 AM to 01:00 PM 🏢 Where? Brussels Expo, Room 1121 (Hall 11 – 2nd Floor) Are you interested in joining us? You can let us know by registering for the event under the following link: https://lnkd.in/dac_gcWs  For those who cannot participate in person, we will also offer a #livestream! The link will be sent out after the registration. Don't miss this opportunity to explore actionable steps to advance Ukraine's hydrogen and renewable energy sectors and foster a climate-neutral future!   #HydrogenFuture #EnergyTransition #SustainableInvestments #EuropeanHydrogenWeek #H2diplo #Ukraine #ptxhub #h2uppp

🌍 #h2diplo goes #COP29!   Together with UNIDO, the Auswärtiges Amt (Federal Foreign Office) Germany, and the Bundesministerium für Wirtschaft und Klimaschutz, we will co-host the side-event "Eyes on 1.5°: Innovative Solutions for Financing Hydrogen Infrastructure", focusing on infrastructure financing in the hydrogen realm. Join us on the 16/11/2024 from 09:40 to 10:40 at the UNIDO Pavilion (A7, Zone E, Blue Badge Access only) for discussions on innovative financing mechanisms crucial for scaling up low-emission hydrogen infrastructure.   With immense investment needed to connect production and demand, we'll explore forward-thinking solutions to bridge funding gaps, attract private investment, and leverage international partnerships.   💡 Don't miss this opportunity to connect with experts and stakeholders committed to a sustainable, hydrogen-powered future.!   #HydrogenEconomy #H2Infrastructure #EnergyTransition #UNIDO #ClimateAction #SustainableFinance    

🌍 Green Hydrogen in Greece: Paving the Way for Decarbonization and Green Growth 🤝 At 2024 Thessaloniki International Fair (TIF), H2-diplo - Decarbonization Diplomacy - in partnership with Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit GmbH’s #H2Greece and #DIPLOMERGY initiatives, brought together experts to discuss Greece’s emerging role in the European hydrogen landscape. The event, hosted by the German Embassy, highlighted Greece’s strategic potential in hydrogen production, with key insights into collaboration opportunities with the EU and Germany. Panelists explored hydrogen's critical role in decarbonizing domestic industries, developing new #PtX (Power-to-X) value chains, and even positioning Greece as a future export hub. Challenges such as regulatory gaps, investment hurdles, and infrastructure needs were addressed, while optimism remains strong, that the country is on track of reaching the hydrogen-related targets set in the forthcoming National Energy and Climate Plan. Thank you to our panelists for contributing with your insightful expertise: · DIMITRIOS KARDOMATEAS, President and General Manager, Centre for Renewable Energy Sources and Saving (CRES) · Kleopatra Avraam, Strategic Planning Senior Director, DESFA · Ulrich Laumanns, Project Manager H2Greece, Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit GmbH · Roxana - Elena Lucuta, General Manager, Linde Hellas · Dimitrios Triantafyllopoulos, CEO, Hellenic Hydrogen 🔋 And a big thank you to our co-facilitators from H2Greece and Diplomergy as well as the German Embassy for the great collaboration. The positive outlook towards the energy future was further highlighted through the display of the Auswärtiges Amt (Federal Foreign Office) Germany's insightful exhibition “Energy in Transition – Powering Tomorrow”, that sheds light on renewable energy sources and technologies and a just transition that leaves no one behind. Find further information on the exhibition on its website under: https://lnkd.in/dBhRkEtm #Decarbonization #GreenHydrogen #EnergyTransition #Greece #ClimateAction #NetZero #H2Diplomacy #GIZ #TIF2024 #HydrogenEconomy #HydrogenDiplomacy

🔊 #H2diplo Nigeria on a study tour to Germany 🇳🇬🇩🇪 That’s a wrap for the for the first part of our study tour which brings a high-level delegation of decision makers from Nigeria’s public and private sector to Berlin, headed by the Hon. Uche Nnaji, Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation.   The study tour takes place in the context of a national hydrogen policy development in Nigeria, where the H2-diplo Office Nigeria has the honor to provide technical support in coordinating this inter-ministerial process, involving national and international hydrogen experts from the public, industry and science sector. The aim of the study tour is the transfer of international best practice and knowledge exchange regarding investment and regulatory environment to develop green hydrogen and its derivatives in Nigeria. 💡 The delegation made their first stop at the Auswärtiges Amt (Federal Foreign Office) Germany where they had the opportunity to dive deep into discussions about German-Nigerian hydrogen cooperation, the Nigerian hydrogen market development and the German hydrogen import strategy. Many thanks to Oliver Rentschler and Holger Klitzing for hosting us. Special thanks to the Nigerian Delegation led by H.E. Uche Nnaji and Dr. Ejenavi Odafe for the presentation on Nigeria’s hydrogen projects as well as to the colleagues from Bundesministerium für wirtschaftliche Zusammenarbeit und Entwicklung (BMZ), Bundesministerium für Wirtschaft und Klimaschutz and Bundesministerium für Bildung und Forschung for joining us and allowing a comprehensive discussion on Germany’s hydrogen ambitions.   💡 The delegation made another stop at the EUREF-Campus Berlin to exchange with Deutsche Energie-Agentur GmbH (dena), Forschungsinstitut für Nachhaltigkeit (RIFS) and #LeitstelleWasserstoff. During the discussion with dena, members of the Nigerian delegation took the stage to share and elaborate on the various topic and steps being taken to move the country close to its net zero target. Special thanks to the Energy Commission of Nigeria represented by Ibrahim Sulu, as well as to Abdur-Rasheed 'Tunde Omidiya, a private representative in the delegation, for their presentation. H2-diplo Nigeria also presented on the policy and regulation frameworks for the build-up of a hydrogen market in Nigeria. 💡 Tuesday was spent at Cemex, getting valuable practical insights and exploring innovative decarbonization solutions for cement production as one of the main hard-to-abate sectors.   A massive thank you to all our hosts and partners for their hospitality and engaging dialogues! The exchange of ideas and experiences has been truly enriching and inspiring so far. Friederike Altgelt, Andrea Triki, Rainer Quitzow, John Kox, Annett Heibel, Bassey Obeten, Maria Noack, Alexandra S., Joshua Yari Garba, Duke Benjamin, Kristina (Tina) Fürst  

📣 German-Nigerian Hydrogen Office (#H2diplo Nigeria) championing industrial decarbonization using green hydrogen at WACEE 2024    The German-Nigerian Hydrogen Office is thrilled to have hosted a side event at the West African Clean Energy and Environment Summit 2024 #WACEE2024.    🌍 The side event, themed ‘‘Green hydrogen production: Its potential and impact on national industrial decarbonization agenda" convened stakeholders across the energy, finance and regulatory sectors to discuss the panel topic "Green hydrogen and decarbonization of Nigeria’s industries: A pathway to a Just industrialization in Nigeria”. ♨️ Key Highlights: Our commitment to advocacy, awareness raising, capacity building, and rigorous analysis has paved the way for progress in Nigeria’s hydrogen development. – Kristina (Tina) Fürst, Head German-Nigerian Hydrogen Office. Welcome remark: in his address Duke Benjamin, Just Transition & Inclusion Cluster Coordinator, GIZ Nigeria & ECOWAS noted that, throughout our longstanding and fruitful cooperation between Nigeria and Germany, particularly in the energy sector, we have implemented many successful transformative initiatives. Through the extensive Energy and Climate portfolio of GIZ in Nigeria, funded by the German government and the EU. Highlights from panel discussion: 💡 Building the necessary skills and project finance crucial for the transition: Deliberate effort must be inserted to equip Nigerians with the necessary skills to actively participate in and drive the shift to green technologies. – Priscilia Akaniyene Obot (PIEMA). 💡 Capacity development: the first step in effecting a just and equitable transition is the training and re-training of the necessary skills and manpower to fill up the emerging opportunities. – Chimaobi Nna CEM®, CEA®, MBA. 💡Enabling environment by Government: the establishment of national green hydrogen policy is key to stimulating investing in the sector in Nigeria. – Muideen Oladapo (Certified Renewable-Grid Manager). 💡 Offering incentives that encourage investment in green hydrogen: the setting up via policy and regulatory framework of green incentives targeted specifically at investment in green hydrogen and renewable energy. – Olakunle Owoeye, CEM®, CMVP®, Mandela Washington Fellow. Special thanks to Alina Schulenburg for moderating the event and Bassey Obeten for moderating the panel session. #EnergyTransitionhashtag #GreenHydrogenhashtag #HydrogenDiplomacy #EnergyDiplomacy Daniel Onweagba, Idiongoabasi Udoh, Ifeoma Obiasogu, Edima Okodi-Iyah

💡 Oman as a frontrunner for green hydrogen   This Wednesday, #h2diplo hosted another #decarbonizationdialogue together with the German Embassy in Muscat which highlighted the fascinating dynamics around the hydrogen ramp-up in #Oman.   After welcoming words from H.E. Ambassador Dirk Lölke, it was an honour to also have H.E. Salim Al Aufi, Minister of Energy and Minerals, open the event. He emphasised the Omani commitment to play a key role in a green hydrogen market, pointing though that the market ramp-up is a global challenge that has to be tackled together.   The welcoming words were followed by two keynotes: The first by Abdulaziz Al Shidhani who underlined the minister’s words by showing how Hydrom is working as the orchestrator of green hydrogen in Oman. The second keynote was held by Markus Exenberger who presented the H2Global Stiftung mechanism as the German approach to foster market creation together with partner countries.   Two interesting panel discussions followed: 🌍 Panel 1 on kick-starting green hydrogen trade: Moderated by our H2-diplo colleague in Oman Ruth Prelicz the debate featuring -       Firas Al-Abduwani (Ministry of Energy and Minerals) -       Ghalib Al Maamari (OQ) -       Eiman Chahhoud (Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in the Sultanate of Oman) -       Pauline Raabe, (H2 Global Foundation) - Oliver Friske (VNG AG) delved into market opportunities and how mechanisms like H2Global could help to kick-start the hydrogen market. Further, the need for synchronization in the areas of regulations and infrastructure development between Europe and Oman were addressed. VNG highlighted two of their projects that have already reached FID status. 🔎 Panel 2 on creating an enabling environment with focus on Finance and Skill Building: Moderated by our H2-diplo colleague Maria Noack, the debate featuring -       Rumaitha Al Busaidi (Hydrom) -       Thomas van Lith (Deutsche Bank) - Michael Braun (German University of Technology in Oman) -       Quentin Dominique Blommaert (H2-diplo Riyadh) -       Dr. Manish Dhameja (Sohar International) showed that although there are in general hurdles and challenges when it comes to both requirements for a successful market ramp-up. Oman is already making significant progress in finding solutions and addressing these challenges. A good example of the progress in the area of education and skills development is the recently launched Green Hydrogen Master’s Program at GUtech, which is done in cooperation with German universities. 👏 A big thank you to all our speakers, the German Embassy and the AHK Oman as well as all the attendees for making this event a success. We look forward to continuing this dialogue and working together to shape the future of the hydrogen economy.