Hydrogen: roadmap delivered to the Economy Ministry totals 31 projects and US$22.37 billion

The Mexican Association of Hydrogen and Energy Transformation (H2México) delivered to the federal government a document with 31 clean hydrogen projects and estimated investments of 22,370.5 million dollars, of which two plants are already operating in Querétaro and San Luis Potosí, according to Reforma.

The dossier Hidrógeno Limpio y Power-to-X, Hitos Clave de la Transformación y Seguridad Energética en México was presented to the Undersecretariat of Industry and Commerce and the General Directorate of National Content and Promotion in the Energy Sector of the Ministry of Economy, at a meeting reported on September 15 by Energía a Debate. The document projects annual production of 196,707 metric tons of green hydrogen, 970,000 metric tons of green ammonia, 2.1 million metric tons of green and blue methanol, and 8,760 metric tons of turquoise hydrogen, with close to 4,246 MW of associated renewable capacity. For the sector, clean hydrogen is a route to decarbonize heavy industry and transport and to reduce dependence on imported natural gas.

Among the challenges the association identified are reducing infrastructure, production and transport costs, establishing specific regulation, creating incentives for supply and demand, and expanding the penetration of renewable energies. Israel Hurtado Acosta, executive president of H2México, said costs "have started to fall, though perhaps not as fast as we would like." José Anaya, coordinator of the Industrial Committee, noted that the association is working with the National Institute of Electricity and Clean Energies (INEEL) on a renewable hydrogen standard. In parallel, the Federal Electricity Commission (CFE) is developing the Oasis Project in Mulegé, Baja California Sur, with 60 MW of solar, 20 MW of battery storage and green hydrogen, to supply electricity to 40,000 households and avoid the annual consumption of 23,000 cubic meters of diesel and fuel oil, according to Forbes México.

The Oasis amount is not included in the 22,370.5 million dollar portfolio. The next milestone is the National Renewable Hydrogen Strategy, which industry and authorities are planning and which Mexico has not yet published. Alberto Uribe Camacho, from the Ministry of Economy, asked the association for information on the incentives applied by countries with more developed industries.

This article was written with the assistance of artificial intelligence from verified sources and reviewed by a human editor before publication.