Developing Ireland’s nascent hydrogen fuel industry could create hundreds of jobs while attracting more than €6 billion investment and achieving energy security in transport, a new report has indicated.
As Ireland seeks to cut its reliance on fossil fuels, some are pushing for green hydrogen, produced by passing electricity from renewable sources through water, to be part of the State’s renewable energy mix. Advocates claim Ireland is ideally suited because of an abundance of renewable energy and water.
However, there is only one hydrogen refuelling station on the island of Ireland, and just 1 per cent of all newly registered heavy-duty vehicles in the State are “alternatively fuelled”.
A report commissioned by lobby group Hydrogen Mobility Ireland (HMI) suggests Ireland could cut emissions in “hard-to-abate” transport sectors such as road and rail, maritime and aviation within 10 years with a more supportive policy platform.
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The research said “phasing in” hydrogen across the road, rail, aviation and maritime sectors would attract about €6 billion worth of investment and cut carbon transport emissions by 260,000 tonnes a year, while creating 640 new long-term jobs.
It also indicated that Ireland could potentially unlock millions of euro in European Union funding to grow an indigenous hydrogen fuel industry, “but is missing out due to a lack of commitments on matching funding and supportive policy from the Government”.
The report advocated a three-stage adoption programme, starting with a demonstration phase between 2024 and 2026 with “small-scale” projects helping to develop home-grown hydrogen expertise and open up supply chains.
This would be followed by an early commercial phase with the funding of vehicles linked to hydrogen refuelling stations and the funding of maritime vehicle conversions. This would lead to an industrialisation phase (between 2031 and 2035) that would implement policies to create parity between fossil fuels and hydrogen mobility.
HMI has previously highlighted Ireland’s infrastructure gap compared with other European countries, with Germany allocating more than €14 billion of funding, followed by the Netherlands with €10 billion and France with €6 billion.
“The research released today highlights the significant opportunity that hydrogen presents for Ireland, not just in reducing carbon emissions, but also in creating hundreds of new jobs, attracting crucial investment, and strengthening our energy security,” said HMI chair Des Phelan.
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“However, for this potential to be fully realised it is imperative that the next government prioritises the implementation of policies creating demand for hydrogen and e-fuels.
“Other European nations are already investing heavily in hydrogen, and Ireland must act swiftly to ensure we do not miss out on these transformative opportunities.
“Our industry is ready to deliver, but we need the government to match our commitment with clear policies and funding to turn these plans into reality.”
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