The Austrian Federal Government has pledged its commitment to green hydrogen and sustainable development by investing heavily in research and development (R&D) activities.
The Minister of Labor and Economic Affairs, Martin Kocher, recently visited the Bosch Engineering Center in Linz, part of the German Bosch Group, to demonstrate support for the company’s investments in climate-neutral technology. Bosch is investing around three billion euros worldwide in electrification and hydrogen technologies, with the Linz site alone receiving an investment of approximately 18 million euros for the expansion of its hydrogen infrastructure.
Austria’s Climate and Transformation Offensive, handled by the Austrian Research Promotion Agency FFG, supports R&D activities in Austria, including the OÖ. Hydrogen Offensive 2030, which includes the construction of a new hydrogen research centre in Wels and an Upper Austrian hydrogen network that bundles the activities of companies and research institutions regarding hydrogen use and the carbon circular economy. Bosch is represented on the strategy board of the hydrogen network and is playing a key role in developing green hydrogen.
In the first implementation phase from 2023 to 2025, the state of Upper Austria will invest 6 million euros in the new hydrogen research centre in Wels. The state is also investing a total of 3 million euros in a funding call for ‘Future Energy Technologies’ through the cooperation of oö. companies and research institutions. The funds for the research and development project at the Linz site were awarded by the German Federal Ministry of Economic Affairs (BMAW) through the FFG. The project aims to develop PEM electrolysis stacks to series production, which is the heart of electrolysers and central in the production of green hydrogen.
The FFG has already funded 21 research and development projects with funds from the Transformation Offensive, with the supported companies located across Austria. The projects are in the fields of energy, ICT, mobility, life science, and production. Austria’s Ministry of Economic Affairs has set priorities for transformation in value and supply chains, sustainable transformation, digital transformation, and the development of new business areas and business models.
The Austrian government has allocated 600 million euros in funding to support the Austrian economy in its sustainable and digital transformation until 2026. Of this, more than 300 million euros will be made available by the BMAW for transformative business projects with experimental development and qualification measures. The key sectors of focus include automotive, microelectronics, and life sciences.
Austria’s commitment to sustainable development and green hydrogen is an important step towards achieving carbon neutrality by 2040, as outlined in the country’s Climate and Energy Strategy.
In conclusion, Austria’s commitment to green hydrogen and sustainable development is a significant step towards achieving carbon neutrality. The investment in R&D activities and the establishment of new hydrogen research centres will help to address the challenges associated with green hydrogen production and support the development of a sustainable energy economy.
