Development of a National Strategy for the Green Hydrogen Economy in Paraguay

This Vice Ministry of Mines and Energy release was published using machine translation.

In the facilities of the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), in a hybrid format, the launch workshop of the initiative "Development of a National Strategy for the Green Hydrogen Economy in Paraguay" was held.

The workshop was opened by the Vice Minister of Mines and Energy of the Ministry of Public Works and Communications, Eng. Carlos Zaldivar, who stated that Paraguay could take advantage of its favorable conditions, such as the abundant water-energy resources and the strategic geographical location that it possesses by being located in the center of South America and becoming a producer and exporter of H ₂ Verde. In addition, that the development of the H ₂ industry may become a valid instrument to comply with the commitments that the country assumed in the international arena: such as the Paris Agreement and the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), since it presents great opportunities to increase national energy security and guide towards the decarbonization of certain segments in the energy sector. In addition, he thanked the completion of the IDB Technical Cooperation with financial support from the Government of Japan.

For her part, the IDB Representative, Mrs. Edna Admendariz expressed her satisfaction with the start of the work and that the Bank understands that the initiative is of the utmost importance to position Paraguay in the region and the world in the development of the H ₂ production chain. He appreciated the opportunity that the country gives the Bank to support initiatives in the energy sector under the coordination of the Vice Ministry of Mines and Energy.

The ING. Alberto Gonzalez Salas, Project Director, representing the strategic alliance of Deloitte, the Aragón Hydrogen Foundation (FHA) and OCA Global, presented the Comprehensive Work Plan, stating that the aforementioned alliance and the participation of public and private institutions del Paraguay will contribute a unique and valuable vision to the results of the consultancy work. The Plan contemplates activities necessary for the fulfillment of the established objectives, considering international recommendations, national and international regulations, and the objectives of the change of the energy matrix in Paraguay. In addition, design the scheme of conformation of the Green H ₂ Round Table in Paraguay, identifying representatives, roles and activities of the different institutions.

As a result, it is intended to have a solid and viable Strategy for the development of Green H ₂ in Paraguay, including concrete actions in the short, medium and long term, definition of roles, identification of international cooperation opportunities and investment needs. An effective socialization plan that promotes stakeholder participation, as well as a detailed report that compiles exchanges of experiences, lessons learned, identified barriers, and commitments acquired during the process.

In addition, representatives of institutions such as ANDE, PETROPAR, ITAIPU Binacional, MADES, MIC, STP, JICA, among others, participated in the meeting, in person and online.

The Vice Minister was accompanied on the occasion by the Directors of Alternative Energies, Eng. Gustavo Cazal, and of Primary Energy Resources, Eng. Felipe Mitjans.