Global Hydrogen Revolution: Envisioning Low-Emissions Future by 2030
Key Ideas
- IEA predicts a fivefold increase in global low-emissions hydrogen production by 2030, with 20 GW electrolyser capacity worldwide, China leading new capacity.
- Despite strong investor interest, challenges like regulatory uncertainties and limited production capacity threaten the sector's rapid growth.
- Policymakers urged to focus on creating demand, reducing costs, and providing clear regulations to support further investment in low-emissions hydrogen production.
- Significant gap between production and demand targets highlights the need for policies to stimulate demand and ensure the success of hydrogen projects.
The International Energy Agency (IEA) Global Hydrogen Review 2024 envisions a promising future for low-emissions hydrogen production, with a projected fivefold increase by 2030. The report reveals that electrolyser capacity with final investment decisions has reached 20 GW worldwide, notably with China contributing over 40% of the new capacity. Despite this positive outlook, challenges such as regulatory uncertainties and limited production capacity threaten the sector's ambitious growth goals. IEA Executive Director, Fatih Birol, emphasizes the importance of creating demand for hydrogen projects to succeed, highlighting the essential role of policymakers in reducing costs and establishing supportive regulations. The report underscores a significant gap between production and demand targets, signaling the necessity for policies to stimulate demand in the low-emissions hydrogen sector. Furthermore, Latin America is identified as a potential hub for such production, with current opportunities in refining and ammonia production for domestic use and future export strategies. The IEA's insights shed light on the critical need for concerted efforts to drive the transition towards a low-emissions hydrogen economy and address emissions in key industrial sectors like steel, refining, and chemicals.
Topics
Africa
Renewable Energy
Investment
Global Market
Latin America
Policy Support
Demand Stimulation
Industrial Emissions
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