Czechia

Czechia flag
GH2 Country Portal – Czechia

Green Hydrogen Vision

The Czech Republic envisions green hydrogen as a cornerstone of its transition to a low-carbon economy, aligning with its climate neutrality and energy security goals. By leveraging hydrogen technologies, the country aims to decarbonize key sectors, including heavy industry, transportation, and energy systems, while ensuring resilience against energy supply disruptions. The strategy emphasizes the production of renewable hydrogen through electrolysis powered by sustainable energy sources, alongside the repurposing of existing gas infrastructure for hydrogen distribution. The Czech Republic also aspires to become a regional hub for hydrogen trade and innovation, collaborating with neighboring countries and integrating into European hydrogen corridors. Central to this vision is fostering innovation, research, and industry partnerships to advance hydrogen technologies, while creating new economic opportunities and addressing the challenges of integrating renewables. This approach reflects a commitment to reducing emissions, enhancing energy independence, and fostering a competitive green economy. 

National Strategy

The government has approved the update of the Hydrogen Strategy for the Czech Republic. This 2024 update is part of the reforms required by the European Commission as part of the National Recovery Plan. It addresses the rapid development of technologies, changes in the legislative framework, and new binding European requirements. It builds upon the original strategy from 2021, which no longer meets current conditions. 

Minister of Industry and Trade Jozef Síkela emphasised, “The update of the Hydrogen Strategy is a crucial step toward achieving carbon neutrality. Hydrogen will play an important role in our energy policy as a substitute for fossil fuels in transportation, a carrier for transporting and storing energy, and a raw material for the chemical industry and a source of heat. This strategy not only supports our economy but also contributes to environmental protection.” He added that the strategy creates new opportunities for Czech companies involved in developing and manufacturing hydrogen production, storage, and usage technologies, some of which have already made strides in the international hydrogen technology market. 

The strategy aligns with the development of hydrogen infrastructure in the EU following the adoption of the decarbonization package for the gas market, the regulation on the deployment of alternative fuel infrastructure, and the updated directive on promoting and utilizing energy from renewable sources. Its main objectives are to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and promote economic growth. 

The strategy has three stages, each with distinct goals, means, and ambitions.  

  1. Local Islands (until 2030): This phase focuses on creating hydrogen valleys that connect the production and consumption of renewable hydrogen. The target is to produce approximately 20,000 tons of renewable hydrogen per year by 2030, necessitating the construction of new electrolysers with a capacity of 400 MWe. 
  2. Global Bridges (2030-2045): This phase aims to ensure the import of renewable hydrogen through a Europe-wide network of hydrogen pipelines. Planned projects, such as the Central European Hydrogen Corridor and the Czech German Hydrogen Interconnector, will integrate the Czech Republic into the European hydrogen ecosystem. Importing renewable hydrogen is expected to reduce its price significantly. 
  3. 3. New Technology (after 2045): This phase will use newly developed technologies to produce renewable and low-carbon hydrogen in the Czech Republic. 

Capacity Targets

Electrolysis Capacity: 

  • Install at least 400 MWe of electrolyser capacity by 2030, focusing on 20,000 tonnes of renewable hydrogen to be produced each year. 
  • Develop hydrogen clusters and valleys near industrial and urban centres to maximize production and minimize transport costs. 

Hydrogen Use in Sectors: 

  • Expand hydrogen use in transportation (road, rail, and heavy freight), industrial processes, and energy storage. 

Infrastructure Development: 

  • Prepare the existing gas infrastructure for hydrogen blending and repurposing pipelines for pure hydrogen transport by 2030. 

Impact Targets

Decarbonisation: 

  • Significantly reduce CO₂ emissions in transportation, industrial processes, and energy systems by substituting fossil fuels with renewable or low-carbon hydrogen. 
  • Align with EU mandates to replace 42% of industrial hydrogen with renewable hydrogen by 2030 and 60% by 2035. 

Energy Security: 

  • Strengthen the energy system through domestic hydrogen production and strategic imports via pipelines from renewable-rich regions. 

Economic Development: 

  • Drive innovation and competitiveness in hydrogen technologies, fostering new industries and employment opportunities in the Czech Republic. 
  • Promote research and education to build expertise in hydrogen technologies. 

Policy and Project Spotlight

  1. In 2023, Solar Global, a.s., a renewable energy developer, operated the first commercial green hydrogen electrolyser in the Czech Republic in Napajedla (Zlín region). This electrolyser is primarily intended for energy storage. 
  2. Other noteworthy projects aimed at producing green hydrogen in the Czech Republic are planned for the next few years: 
  • H2 Triangle (2025, Žatec, Ústí nad Labem Region): This project will focus on scientific research related to hydrogen and the construction of production and assembly facilities for suppliers of hydrogen technologies. It is expected to achieve an annual production of 630 tonnes. 
  • VOZARTEK (2026, Frýdek-Místek, Moravian-Silesian Region): This project will produce green hydrogen at a heating plant, with a planned annual output of 270 tonnes. The energy source will combine electricity from photovoltaic panels and biomass waste. A wind power plant is also planned for future hydrogen production. 
  • Green Mine (2027, Most, Ústí nad Labem Region): An electrolyser will be constructed as part of the Green Mine project, which has a planned annual production capacity of 360 tonnes. This initiative represents a comprehensive revitalization of the ČSA Most mine, where lignite mining will conclude in May 2024. 
  • PV with Hydrogen Storage (2027): ORLEN Unipetrol plans to combine its photovoltaic energy production plant with green energy supplies from other entities to power an electrolyser. This project aims for an annual production of 4,500 tonnes. 
  • ČEZ / Central Bohemia Region (end of 2025): There are plans to operate 10 hydrogen buses in Mníšek pod Brdy (Region of Central Bohemia). Hydrogen for these buses will be supplied by ČEZ ESCO and produced using a 540 kW electrolyser. The electricity for this emission-free production will come from the ČEZ hydroelectric power plant in Vraný nad Vltavou, the largest state-owned energy company in the Czech Republic. 

Financing

  1. Several subsidies are available for hydrogen mobility in the Czech Republic. One of the main programs is administered by the State Environmental Fund (Státní fond životního prostředí), which offers support for the purchase of zero-emission vehicles and the construction of necessary infrastructure for businesses and public entities. These programs are part of the Modernisation Fund, with CZK 5.2 million allocated to business entities and CZK 7.5 million allocated to public entities under the TRANSGov program. The National Recovery Plan and related EU-funded programs provide additional support for hydrogen filling stations.  
  2. The Integrated Regional Operational Programme also provides funding opportunities, with over CZK 400 million (approximately EUR 16 million) designated in two investment packages, depending on the regions' development levels. Furthermore, the Transport Operational Programme will allocate CZK 420 million (EUR 16.8 million) to support state-owned transport infrastructure until 2027. 

Government Green Hydrogen Lead

Ministry of Industry and Trade