Hydrogen Mobility Ireland Releases Three Briefing Papers
Detailed research released by Hydrogen Mobility Ireland (HMI) on 16th December 2024 demonstrates how Ireland can deploy hydrogen to create hundreds of new jobs, cut carbon emissions, boost economic growth and achieve energy security in transport, but only if the next Government steps up to the plate and implements EU mandates for the use of hydrogen in mobility.
The three-part report commissioned by HMI, the leading representative body for the hydrogen mobility sector, asserts that Ireland can take crucial steps to cut carbon emissions in hard-to-abate transport sectors like road and rail, maritime and aviation within a ten-year timeframe. The group has set out its plan over this period (2025-2035) to commence the decarbonisation of the national fleet; including heavy duty trucks and buses, shipping, and aviation.
The research finds that phasing in hydrogen in the road, rail, aviation and maritime sectors will:
- Attract €6 billion worth of investment;
- Cut carbon transport emissions by 260,000 tonnes a year;
- Create 640 new long-term jobs, generating many more in related sectors, and help to support existing jobs in the energy sector;
- Develop homegrown expertise for export, and opportunities for inward investment.
The report also demonstrates how Ireland can unlock millions of euros in potential EU 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. HMI has previously highlighted Ireland’s infrastructure gap compared to neighbouring countries; there is currently only one hydrogen refuelling station located on the island of Ireland, and just 3% of all newly registered heavy-duty vehicles in Ireland are alternatively-fuelled
Other EU countries have announced substantial investments in clean hydrogen, with Germany allocating over €14bn of funding, followed by the Netherlands with €10bn, and France with €6bn. Crucially, the membership which comprise Hydrogen Mobility Ireland are ready and willing to initiate the projects required to develop a hydrogen mobility industry within Ireland, scaling up projects from temporary demonstrations to full-scale commercial projects.
Chair of Hydrogen Mobility Ireland Des Phelan said “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.
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.”
Links to the three briefing papers:
The Need For and Vision Of Hydrogen Mobility in Ireland
Collective Ambitions of HMI Members
Policy Support Required in Ireland
HMI members are a powerhouse of Irish industrial players, amongst the few able to deploy infrastructure at national scale. All HMI members need is a starting signal from Government to begin building Ireland’s clean energy industry- avoiding any further delay to achieving decarbonisation targets and significant economic benefits.
The role of hydrogen derived e-fuels in aviation and maritime and the opportunities for Ireland
A new report from Hydrogen Mobility Ireland makes recommendations on how the development of a domestic hydrogen ecosystem can facilitate the production of sustainable e-fuels for use in aviation and shipping transport. The report was launched by Minister Simon Coveney at ESB’s headquarters in Dublin.
According to the report, the process of creating sustainable aviation fuels derived from hydrogen (e-SAF) for use in commercial aircraft has the potential to create more than 10,500 jobs across Ireland by 2050 – equivalent to a total Gross Added Value (GVA) of up to €230 million per annum, increasing to more than €2.1 billion through allowing Irish businesses to tap into the global market.
A new White Paper prepared by Hydrogen Mobility Ireland (HMI),
A new White Paper prepared by Hydrogen Mobility Ireland (HMI), details a number of recommendations on how the deployment of hydrogen across transport could propel Ireland’s transition to net-zero in both transport and the wider economy. The publication follows the Government’s decision to open a public consultation on the development of a national strategy for green hydrogen – a move which HMI has welcomed.
Links below to documents.
Response to Public Consultation on the Renewable Fuels for Transport Policy
May 2022
Response to Consultation on the proposed revision to the Gas Directive and the Gas Regulation and proposals for a Regulation on Methane Emissions
April 2022
Eliminate Not Abate:
Hydrogen Efficiency Advantages for Zero CO2 Transport
This report reviews how electricity for two transport options–battery and fuel cell electric vehicles–will be generated in a net zero world.
A Hydrogen Roadmap for Irish Transport, 2020-2030
The first action of Hydrogen Mobility Ireland has been to develop a hydrogen mobility strategy for Ireland, setting out a pathway for the introduction of hydrogen production sites, hydrogen stations and hydrogen vehicles between now and 2030. The strategy provides a clear picture of what hydrogen mobility can achieve in Ireland over the next ten years and demonstrates that this vision is clearly achievable at levels of commitment that industry and government can support.
The full strategy is set out in our publication “A Hydrogen Roadmap for Irish Transport, 2020-2030” (link to report) and a narrative summary is also available (link to report)