EU4ENERGY Forum in Georgia
In Georgia, on November 22, 2022, by the International Energy Agency (IEA), within the framework of the EU4Energy program and with the support of the Ministry of Economy and Sustainable Development of Georgia, an international forum on hydrogen energy was held.
The Deputy Minister of Economy and Sustainable Development, Romeo Mikautadze, took part in the forum. Mr. minister said that he believes that the development of “green hydrogen” technology will not only balance the energy system, but also promote energy security, create new business opportunities and jobs. Therefore, the deputy minister believes that international cooperation, in the direction of research and innovation, should be accelerated.
“Georgia has expressed great interest in “green hydrogen” technologies. Georgia’s energy legislation and the project of National Energy and Climate Plan (NECP) already contains provisions that will promote the utilization of hydrogen in the energy sector. Although we do not currently have a strategy or action plan that directly addresses hydrogen issues, we have already taken practical steps in this direction. For example, in November 2021, an agreement was signed between the Government of Georgia and the German Reconstruction Bank (KfW), which aims to promote the development of “green hydrogen” in Georgia. Within the framework of this agreement, the potential of green hydrogen development in Georgia will be assessed for the further implementation of the green hydrogen pilot project,” said the Deputy Minister.
Georgia has expressed great interest in “green hydrogen” technologies.Romeo Mikautadze
The 2022 global hydrogen report of “World Experience for Georgia” (WEG) was also presented at the forum. The representatives of the World Bank and the European Investment Bank talked about the possibilities of financing hydrogen projects. Representatives of the IEA, International Hydrogen Partnerships and Initiatives discussed opportunities for international cooperation and prospects for international hydrogen markets. Together with Georgian specialists, representatives of Azerbaijan, Armenia, Ukraine and Moldova took part in the forum, who presented the vision and interests of their countries in hydrogen policy.
The National Hydrogen Association of Georgia participated in the forum – the association was established in 2021, with the idea and purpose of increasing the relevance of hydrogen in the energy sector, in which it has been playing an active role since its establishment. It is significant that in Georgia, under the auspices of the Ministry of Energy and Sustainable Development, a Hydrogen Committee was established, which includes the Ministry, the National Hydrogen Association and other entities working in the field. The main goal of the committee is to assess the prospects of hydrogen energy development in Georgia and the socio-economic impact of hydrogen projects, according to which recommendations will be made in terms of the most effective approach to the country’s energy development, energy security and resource utilization.
According to the statement of “World Experience for Georgia” (WEG), hydrogen, as a means of storage, transportation and utilization of clean energy, is considered one of the most important prospective directions of energy in the 21st century. And Georgia, which is actively involved in the European processes of clean hydrogen development, has the opportunity to receive significant economic, political and security benefits by promoting its own resources and transit from other countries.
