Co-chairs Tom Linebarger and Yoshinori Kanehana of Kawasaki Heavy Industries have announced a major leadership shift for the Hydrogen Council.
Founded by Kawasaki, the Council is a major player in the hydrogen sector and advocates for its role in accelerating the decarbonization of the industry. Japanese manufacturer Kawasaki has been leading HySTRA (Co2-free Hydrogen Energy Supply Chain Technology Research Association) and working with other companies on a project that will see the first liquefied hydrogen ship operating between Japan and Australia..
Yoshinori Kanehana says: “I am honored to be appointed as a new Board member and co-chair. We are now at a critical stage in our journey from the demonstration to the commercial stage for the global deployment of hydrogen. It is essential to bring together the knowledge and expertise of the various members of the Council towards our common objectives. Amidst the unprecedented challenges, let me assert my firm belief that the hydrogen industry will rapidly expand and mature by strengthening partnerships with stakeholders including key industries, policy makers and investors. I look forward to working together towards the realization of a global hydrogen economy.”
As Potier steps down as co-chair, he will continue to serve as a Board Member and play an important role in the Council’s efforts to build relationships with European leaders.
“The Hydrogen Council has come a long way in the last five years, with more than 130 members today compared to 13 at the time of its creation in 2017. It has played a key role in showing the world what hydrogen can bring to a successful energy transition. Today, this role is widely recognized as the total investment into projects and along the whole value chain of hydrogen around the world is estimated at more than $500 billion through 2030. As the hydrogen revolution is entering a new phase of its development, and as I hand over my role as co-chairman to Yoshinori Kanehana, I am confident that the Hydrogen Council will continue to contribute in maintaining this momentum. I am also looking forward to remaining an active member of the Council to further advocate the incredible merits of hydrogen.” Benoît Potier, CEO and Chairman of Air Liquide.
Tom Linebarger, Chairman and CEO of Cummins, will begin his two-year term in July 2021 as Kanehana’s fellow Council co-chair.
“I offer my sincere congratulations to Yoshinori as he takes on this new role in hydrogen leadership. I look forward to working closely with him and KHI to further the Council’s vision, which has been deeply influenced by Benoît and Air Liquide, and making meaningful progress together in the journey to global decarbonization.” says Tom Linebarger, Chairman and CEO, Cummins Inc.
Throughout the Hydrogen Council’s existence, the hydrogen economy has undergone significant changes. There has been a significant shift in global thinking and constant effort from the Council’s members to define a long-term ambition for hydrogen to foster the decarbonization of our economies, which has resulted in an unprecedented growth in the Council’s membership.
Daryl Wilson – Executive Director of the Hydrogen Council, outlines “We are now in the critical and difficult stage of implementation. The industrial project commitments must meet with public priorities, policy and funding commitments to fully realize contribution that only hydrogen can make toward the net zero journey. It is great to have the guidance of strong global leaders in the field as we navigate these next milestones.”
