Vienna — April 25, 2024 —
What happened to Austria’s ambitious hydrogen plans? Back in 2019, then-Chancellor Sebastian Kurz envisioned Austria as the “number one hydrogen nation”, investing heavily in the technology. However, the closure of hydrogen filling stations by OMV and the slow adoption of hydrogen vehicles raise questions about the future of hydrogen in Austria. Experts are now analyzing whether the initial goals can ever be met.
Austria’s Hydrogen Dream: What Happened to Sebastian Kurz’s Promise?
Former Chancellor Sebastian Kurz envisioned Austria as a leader in hydrogen technology. but recent developments raise questions about the future of this ambitious plan.
The Grand Vision
In the summer of 2019,Sebastian Kurz,then Chancellor of Austria,announced a bold plan to transform the nation into the number one hydrogen nation.
The initiative included a proposed investment of 500 million euros over the next decade, with the goal of creating a unique hydrogen cluster that would generate 30,000 new jobs.
Did You Know?
Hydrogen is the most abundant element in the universe, but it must be extracted from other compounds, such as water or natural gas, to be used as a fuel source.
Further solidifying this commitment, Kurz signed a declaration of intent in July 2021 to establish a hydrogen alliance with Abu Dhabi.
The Reality Check
Though, recent developments suggest that Austria’s hydrogen ambitions might potentially be facing significant challenges.
- OMV’s Retreat: OMV,a major Austrian energy company,is reportedly planning to shut down all of its hydrogen fueling stations [1]. This decision casts doubt on the viability of hydrogen as a widespread transportation fuel in Austria.
- Limited Adoption: As of recently, only a small number of hydrogen vehicles were registered in Austria. Statistics Austria reported only 62 such vehicles on Austrian roads [3].
- Kurz’s Post-Government Role: After leaving office, Sebastian Kurz joined a Dutch subsidiary of an Emirati state-owned energy firm that aims to ship hydrogen to Europe [2]. this move has raised questions about potential conflicts of interest and the direction of austria’s hydrogen strategy.
Echoes of the Past
The situation evokes a story about Hertha Firnberg, Austria’s first Minister of science in the 1970s. After announcing major reforms at a press conference, civil servants inquired about the implementation timeline. Firnberg reportedly responded, No matter, nobody asks anyway.
The question now is whether Kurz’s hydrogen initiative will suffer a similar fate, fading away without achieving its ambitious goals.
The Future of Hydrogen in Austria
Despite the setbacks, hydrogen remains a potentially important component of Austria’s future energy mix.The key will be addressing the challenges of infrastructure development, cost reduction, and ensuring a enduring supply of hydrogen.
Pro Tip
Green hydrogen, produced using renewable energy sources, is considered the most sustainable option for reducing carbon emissions.
FAQ: Austria’s Hydrogen Ambitions
- what was Sebastian Kurz’s plan for hydrogen?
- To make Austria
the number one hydrogen nation
with a 500 million euro investment and the creation of 30,000 jobs. - why is OMV closing hydrogen stations?
- Reportedly, the business is not profitable for OMV [1].
- How many hydrogen cars are in Austria?
- Only 62 vehicles were recently registered [3].