Hydrogen deployment potential in Colombia: an opportunity to decarbonize and diversify the economy

Abstract

The Hydrogen (H2) Roadmap in Colombia, launched in 2021, emphasizes the need to establish solid foundations for H2 development in the country in the short term. This involves the evaluation of the availability of natural and technological resources for H2 production, carbon dioxide capture, utilization and storage potential, and H2 mixing in the existing natural gas network, among others. This chapter presents a prospective evaluation for the inclusion of H2-based technologies in the Colombian context. For this purpose, the development and costs of H2 production and utilization technologies and enabling technologies with potential for deployment in the country in the 2022-50 period are analyzed. The analysis resulted in a 21GW estimated maximum green H2 generation potential in the country by 2050, mainly powered by solar electrolysis (34%). On the other hand, the projected maximum demand for H2 in Colombia in 2050 is 1867.65kt, mainly demanded by the heavy-duty transportation sector.