There are already eight companies interested in betting on hydrogen

The nation has ready the roadmap to develop, generate and use hydrogen as fuel for the next 30 years , a mission that It already has the backing and support of eight large companies with a presence in the country.

(Read: List the roadmap for the use of hydrogen in Colombia )

Thus, Ecopetrol, Grupo Energía Bogotá (GEB), Transportadora de Gas Internacional (TGI), Promigas , ENGIE, Siemens Energy, Porsche Colombia and Daimler Colombia will make use of the benefits established by the National Government, to bet on this clean fuel, another key piece in the energy transition.

(Read: Green hydrogen with Colombian seal to combat and l climate change )

“ A regulatory framework with fiscal and tax incentives was created so that investments in hydrogen are attractive to the private sector, in addition, the entire energy production chain will be regulated, as well such as transportation and consumption ”, explained Diego Mesa, Minister of Mines and Energy.

(Read: ‘ Before 10 years the country will massify the use of hydrogen ‘)

The official stressed that before the end of the current period three pilots for hydrogen production remain in operation.

“ Surely one of the companies will be Ecopetrol, which will produce it as part of the process in some of its refineries, the other company is GEB to test it as a fuel in public transport ”, said Mesa.

Precisely, the national oil company expressed its interest in actively participating in the development of the hydrogen industry in Colombia, and is already conducting research in this regard.

“ In terms of diversification of the energy basket, the production and use of hydrogen is essential. We started an orderly path and hand in hand with innovation and technology to define how to increase its use as a renewable source ”, indicated by its president, Felipe Bayón.

Currently, Ecopetrol is running a 50 kilowatt pilot for the production of hydrogen by electrolysis (a process by which the elements between yes through the use of electric current), which will be operational in the first half of 2022.

“ It will be done at the Cartagena refinery to obtain learning related to the potential use of water in the refinery processes and the stability of production of this technology. Later, the electrolyzer will be used in other applications ”, explained the president of Ecopetrol.

In a joint statement, the eight companies interested in developing hydrogen announced their support for this government initiative.

In a letter sent to the Executive, the companies express their conviction of the role that hydrogen will play in the energy transition as an engine of economic and social development for the country .

“ The signatories of what they have called ‘Expression of Interest’ highlight the importance of joint work between the productive sector, public and private, and international cooperation, to achieve results that allow the country to advance in compliance with the decarbonization goals and for Colombia to enter the global hydrogen economy, complementing the current energy matrix ”, indicates the statement.

Likewise, the unions also expressed their support. “ In the coming years, hydrogen produced with natural gas is the most favorable low-emission option for the country, contributing enormously to the decarbonization of industrial sectors and the growth of sustainability mobility ”, said Luz Stella Murgas, president of the Colombian Association Natural Gas (Naturgas).