National Hydrogen Strategy submitted to Cabinet for approval, Energy Minister says

Cyprus’ National Hydrogen Strategy has been approved by the Ministry of Energy, Commerce, and Industry and has been submitted to the Council of Ministers for approval, Minister George Papanastasiou has announced.

He revealed the news on 23 June, during his address at the 3rd Annual General Assembly of the Cyprus Hydrogen Association.

“I am pleased to announce today that, following the completion of the necessary public consultation, Cyprus’ National Hydrogen Strategy has been approved by our Ministry and has been submitted to the Council of Ministers for final endorsement,” he stated.

As he explained, the National Strategy focuses primarily on the development and use of hydrogen in transportation. This focus stems from the need to ensure that any future commitments are realistic, implementable, and tailored to Cyprus’ actual capabilities and needs, avoiding overly ambitious forecasts that cannot be supported by the available technical and financial means or existing conditions, he said.

According to the Minister, the national strategy is built around two main pillars. The first pillar focuses on legislative adaptation. “Our priority is to create a comprehensive and functional regulatory framework that governs all aspects of the hydrogen life cycle—from production and distribution to final use. This framework will include detailed and clear licensing procedures, as well as the necessary safety and quality standards. Our aim is to complete the framework by 2027, following extensive consultation with all relevant stakeholders,” he noted.

The second pillar focuses on education and awareness. In parallel with the regulatory framework, “we are developing a comprehensive training and awareness program. Our goal is to design and implement targeted campaigns to promote understanding, acceptance, and the successful adoption of this innovative technology by businesses and society at large”, the Minister said.

Papanastasiou stressed the importance of presenting from the outset a balanced and realistic view of both the potential and the challenges involved in developing the hydrogen sector.

He noted that for Cyprus, the electrification of transportation is currently the most appropriate and efficient option, especially considering the island’s substantial renewable energy potential. “However, we have identified that the gradual introduction of hydrogen in the heavy transport sector is the optimal and most cost-effective way to integrate hydrogen into our energy mix. According to the estimates of our National Energy and Climate Plan, we foresee the phased deployment of hydrogen-powered trucks and buses by 2030,” he stated.

At the same time, he emphasized that several significant challenges must be addressed realistically. Specifically, he pointed out that the scarcity of water is a critical issue, since the production of green hydrogen through electrolysis requires significant amounts of clean water—between 9 and 15 kilograms of water per kilogram of hydrogen. Additionally, the necessary investments in specialized infrastructure are particularly high and require careful technical and strategic planning to ensure the efficiency and sustainability of hydrogen projects, he said.

(Source: CNA)