The Latin America and Caribbean Green Hydrogen Development Platform (H2LAC) is launching a new event this year aimed at advancing a sustainable transition to green hydrogen and its derivatives through public-private collaboration. This event, the LAC H2 Summit Cartagena 2024, will foster business development between supply and demand by bringing together key players in the global hydrogen ecosystem to realize the potential of the Latin America and Caribbean region. Taking place on September 11 and 12 at the Cartagena de Indias Convention Center, the event is organized by the LAC Clean Hydrogen Action Alliance and the German Development Cooperation (GIZ), within the framework of the International Hydrogen Ramp-up Program (#H2Uppp) and the H2-diplo Decarbonization Diplomacy Program, with support from the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Protection (BMWK) and the German Federal Foreign Office (AA). Just days before the event, LAC H2 published a webinar featuring a discussion where leading figures in the energy and hydrogen sectors elaborated on the event's agenda and analyzed the future of hydrogen in the region. https://www.youtube.com/live/C1PFmiis06Q In this context, Daniel Díaz Toro, Executive Director of WEC Colombia, stated: "In a field like the hydrogen economy, we need both public and private stakeholders to actively participate by developing conducive networking spaces such as trade fairs and academic forums." In line with these objectives, Díaz Toro explained that this meeting serves to promote partnerships and create a collaborative network to consider best practices for implementing this energy vector. Monica Gasca , President of the Hydrogen Association in Colombia, added: "It's great to have roadmaps and interesting studies, but at the end of the day, real change comes from actually implementing projects, not only in Colombia but in the various countries of the region." "Therefore, these spaces are fundamental to accelerating actions that allow us to overcome the challenges that hydrogen projects have in terms of environmental, social and financial issues, so that they can become a reality ."
“The working groups we will have during the event are very important for achieving our goals regarding hydrogen,” he added. He also emphasized the need to hold meetings with key decision-makers and stakeholders to launch auctions for hydrogen projects in the region. Hydrogen Projects in Colombia According to H2 Colombia, the country has a portfolio of 28 projects under development for the production and use of green hydrogen. According to Gasca, due to their large scale, most will come online after 2035.
Within this portfolio, 15 GW of electrolysis and a 190-kiloton blue hydrogen plant are currently under development. Furthermore, the largest green hydrogen project in Latin America, developed by Hevolution in Antioquia, is expected to be inaugurated this year: 2.3 MW of electrolysis, producing 1,000 kg of hydrogen and 5,000 kg of ammonia daily. To accelerate the commissioning of these projects and meet the country's ambitious goals, Gasca recognizes the importance of fostering partnerships between public and private stakeholders through networking events such as the LAC H2 Summit Cartagena 2024.