On 6 September 2021, the Ministry of Environment and Energy issued a press release on the approval by the Ministers of Environment and Development of the participation of five Greek projects in the first wave of the important projects of common European interest (IPCEI) on hydrogen.
A total of 20 projects were nominated, out of which the approved five were notified to the competent European authorities, and are now one step closer to achieving the financial support of the European Union. The five projects that were approved are the following:
- Blue Med – a project by Motor Oil for the production of low carbon footprint blue hydrogen and green hydrogen, with a timeframe stretching out to 2025. The hydrogen is to be used in infrastructure and means of transport. It is expected that both the Hellenic Gas Transmission System Operator (DESFA) and the Public Power Corporation (PPC), along with research institutions, will be joining the project;
- Green HIPo – a project by Advanced Energy Technologies (Advent Technologies) for the construction of electrolyte and fuel cells production units. The combined heat and power fuel cells are expected to be produced by Advent Technologies for the White Dragon project in their main production line in West Macedonia;
- White Dragon – a cluster of projects for the production of green hydrogen in West Macedonia through solar energy electrolysis and distribution through DESFA and TAP pipelines. The participants of the cluster are the Public Gas Corporation, Advent Technologies, Copelouzos Group (DAMCO ENERGY SA), Corinth Pipelines SA, TAP AG, DESFA, Terna Energy, Motor Oil and PPC;
- Η2CAT TANKS – a project by B&T Composites for the production of high-pressure tanks from composite materials and carbon fibres for the storage of hydrogen used in transport; and
- H2CEM – ΤΙΤΑΝ – a project by TITAN for the production of cement by the use of green hydrogen. The project mainly concerns the production, storage and use of green hydrogen for combustion to be used for the production of energy with the view of decarbonising cement units.
Pursuant to the approval of the aforementioned projects by the Greek government, they will be evaluated in connection with the technical and financial criteria set out for the IPCEI projects. The European Commission will further evaluate:
- the possibility of successful completion of the projects;
- their feasibility;
- the spill-over effects; and
- the completeness of the business plans.
This process will lead to the determination of the exact financial gap, part of which will be covered by national and European aid schemes. The development of the hydrogen market is expected to assist in the achievement of the European aim to be climate-neutral by the end of 2050 – that is, an economy with net-zero greenhouse gas emissions.
For further information on this topic please contact Andriani Kantilieraki at Rokas Law Firm by telephone (+30 210 361 6816) or email ([email protected]). The Rokas Law Firm website can be accessed at www.rokas.com.