Hydrogen Plan to Be Catalyst for Major Investment Here

Hydrogen Ireland says the new National Hydrogen Strategy is a key catalyst to attracting investment in Ireland’s clean energy sector. The all-island organisation today welcomed the publication of the strategy as it launched its annual conference, which will take place at Titanic Belfast from 27 – 29 November this year.

The theme of the event is ‘Hydrogen – delivering a balanced pathway to net zero’, and the guest lineup includes Jorgo Chatzimarkakis, Chief Executive of Hydrogen Europe and other well-known figures from the worlds of politics, energy and industry.

Hydrogen Ireland believes the new national strategy – which was launched in recent days by the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications, Eamon Ryan TD – will be a real boost to the sector as it conveys a clear message to everyone about what hydrogen has to offer.

Spokesman Paul McCormack says that through the strategy, “the public can now see hydrogen as a clean alternative to energy from fossil fuel. An energy that we can generate and use to capture opportunities from our rich natural resources. The next step is to mobilise the strategy and align with Europe to open the EU clean hydrogen backbone to Ireland. We’re at the start of a long journey where we can strengthen the competitiveness of the Irish clean energy sector and build our H2 technology sovereignty, creating a more resilient energy system for Ireland. This strategy will ultimately help to produce and use affordable, reliable and accessible clean energy”.

At the November conference, delegates and speakers will address a wide range of topics, including an all-island approach to energy, climate, technology and supporting investment in the future. The conference will map out the 3 key stages in Ireland’s Green Hydrogen journey: Where we are now? What are we targeting? And how do we get there?

Paul McCormack says the stakes couldn’t be higher as global heat records tumble this summer: “Cutting back on energy produced by fossil fuels is a massive part of how we can hope to deal with climate change. As an island off Europe, we have the natural resources, an ambitious, skilled workforce and now the National Strategy to chart the way forward on clean energy. We need to grasp that opportunity for all our futures”.

In addition to the speakers from Hydrogen Europe, the conference guest list will include industry experts from ESB, Gas Networks Ireland, SSE, Bórd Gais Energy, Energia, Siemens and many more. The event is geared towards industry professionals, technical and academic partners, research collaborators, policymakers and Government officials. For more information on the event, go to www.h2irl.com.