Delegation from Czech Republic to Bavaria
Business delegation on green hydrogen and technical ceramics in Wunsiedel/Fichtelgebirge
15. - 17. October 2024
Cooperation for green hydrogen & solutions for the industry
At the invitation of Germany Trade & Invest, a delegation of Czech companies will travel to Bavaria from 15-17.10.2024 to learn about business & investment opportunities in the field of green hydrogen and technical ceramics. The trip will take the delegation to the Wunsiedel region in the Fichtelgebirge for company visits and networking events.
Objectives of the visit
On the one hand, the delegation trip is intended to increase the visibility of the Wunsiedel region in the field of (renewable) energy/hydrogen and, on the other, to give regional companies the opportunity to make new contacts and thus find long-term cooperation partners in the Czech Republic. The increased visibility is also expected to provide an incentive for research projects in the region. In the long term, corporate partnerships and cross-border joint ventures are to be developed.
Participation
We cordially invite companies & institutions from the region to participate in a networking event on October 15, 2024 in Bad Alexandersbad. Participation is free of cost. Participation is aimed at companies with a branch in the districts of Wunsiedel & Hof as well as those with relevant economic activity in the region.
Die folgenden Branchen & Unternehmen werden in Tschechien angesprochen:
- Energy suppliers with decarbonization projects
- Suppliers of hydrogen technologies
- Energy-intensive industry / manufacturing industries
- Associations of the energy industry
- Research institutions
- start-ups
The market for green hydrogen in the Czech Republic
Like many other members of the EU, the Czech Republic, as a highly CO2-emitting economy, must find a climate-neutral form of economy. This paradigm shift, which is being generously funded by the EU, is attracting more and more companies.
On July 26, 2021, the Czech Republic adopted its national hydrogen strategy. The focus here is on strengthening the topic of hydrogen in the areas of industry, the energy sector and transport. This is to be achieved through the production and use of hydrogen, for which European funding is to be used, so that an increased importance of the topic in the Czech Republic is to be expected, especially since the Czech Republic is a highly CO2-emitting economy. Around 40 percent of Czech energy production in 2022 was generated using lignite, with renewable energies currently still playing a minor role. Major players in the hydrogen sector are the hydrogen producers Orlen Unipetrol (gray hydrogen), and the CEZ Group wants to create 10 MW of electrolysis capacity by 2025. The topic of renewable energies and their storage is currently still a minor issue in the Czech Republic, but it will become much more important in the future and could develop into a relevant market for local companies due to its proximity to the Wunsiedel region and the expertise and partnerships available here.
The rise in energy prices due to the Russian attack on Ukraine is forcing Czech chemical companies to invest heavily in more efficient production facilities and alternative energy generation. Attractive subsidies from various EU funds are available to the companies for this purpose.
The Orlen Unipetrol Group, which belongs to the Polish oil company PKN Orlen, is the Czech Republic's largest producer of gray hydrogen, i.e. hydrogen obtained from fossil fuels. It produces around 80,000 tons per year. It is planning to produce green hydrogen for use in the transport sector. Orlen Unipetrol is currently building hydrogen filling stations in six Czech cities with EU funding and is working on an H2 value chain in Central Europe. A further 22 filling stations and an electrolysis capacity of 80 megawatts (MW) are planned in the Czech Republic.
The semi-state-owned energy company ČEZ also wants to enter the green hydrogen business from its own renewable power plants. It is currently pursuing 15 project ideas for the production and use of hydrogen and is targeting a total electrolysis capacity of over 10 MW by 2025.
Hintergrund des Programmes
Germany Trade & Invest (GTAI) is the economic development agency of the Federal Republic of Germany. GTAI supports German companies in establishing themselves in foreign markets, promotes Germany as a business location and assists foreign companies in establishing themselves in Germany. This inbound delegation trip is part of its ISW program, which was developed for and with partners from the regions undergoing structural change in order to raise international awareness of the strengths and opportunities of the individual regions and to facilitate cross-border cooperation. International companies have the opportunity to visit a specific German region to get to know a particular industry ecosystem and network with local industry players to work out their next steps to enter the German market and find new business partners.
