In a recent report, the International Energy Agency (IEA) sheds light on the growing prominence of hydrogen in the global energy matrix. Global hydrogen consumption soared to 95 million tonnes in 2022, marking a 3% annual increase. However, despite this surge, the share of green hydrogen, the low-emission variant, remains a modest 0.6% of the total supply.
Over 40 countries, including major players like China and Europe, have developed national hydrogen strategies, signaling a collective commitment to economic decarbonization, enhanced energy security, and the exploration of new industrial applications. These strategies aim to propel electrolysis capacity to an ambitious 420 gigawatts (GW) by 2030, with a strong focus on projects contributing 14GW to electrolysis.
Despite these strategic initiatives, the IEA underscores that the adoption of low-emission hydrogen remains marginal. In 2022 alone, hydrogen production contributed to a significant 900 million tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions. To steer the trajectory toward sustainability, the IEA sets a target of generating 38 million tonnes of low-emission hydrogen by 2030.
The IEA issues a compelling call to governments worldwide, urging intensified investments, robust international cooperation, and flexible regulations to stimulate investment. Emphasizing the need for mechanisms to boost hydrogen demand, currently lagging behind production levels, the IEA positions itself as a driving force for a sustainable hydrogen future.
The Mexican Hydrogen Association (AMH2) paints a compelling vision for Mexico’s green hydrogen future. Anticipating a surge in demand from 2025 onwards, with projections reaching 230,000 tonnes by 2030 and a monumental increase to 2.7 million tonnes by 2050, the AMH2 charts an ambitious path. However, realizing this vision demands significant renewable capacity and electrolysis, posing challenges to Mexico’s current infrastructure limitations.
AMH2 President Israel Hurtado envisions a green hydrogen industry in Mexico creating 3.2 million jobs, attracting up to $60 billion in investments, and mitigating 53 million tonnes of CO2 emissions by 2050. The transformative potential extends to manufacturing sectors like automobiles, turbines, and electrolyzers, positioning Mexico as a key player in emerging industries.
Highlighting Mexico’s strategic advantages, Hurtado emphasizes the potential for a 64% reduction in green hydrogen production costs compared to other nations. Leveraging geographic location, renewable energy abundance, and trade agreements, Mexico eyes the prospect of exporting green hydrogen to Europe or Asia, showcasing its potential as a global green hydrogen hub.
