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This was confirmed by the Minister of Hydrocarbons and Energy, Alejandro Gallardo, who said that the initiative is part of the national strategy to diversify the energy mix and position the country in the international market for low-carbon hydrogen. The Bolivian Ministry of Hydrocarbons and Energy has announced the implementation of the first pilot projects for green hydrogen production in the departments of Oruro, Tarija, and Santa Cruz. In a statement, it asserts that these initiatives are part of the national strategy to diversify the energy mix and develop new technologies, with a focus on the integration of renewable sources such as solar photovoltaics for the generation of electricity used in electrolysis. The first pilot project involves the installation of a 2 MW electrolyzer in the city of Oruro, at over 3,700 meters above sea level. The goal is to produce green hydrogen to blend with natural gas, with applications in tin refining at a metallurgical plant and in domestic connections. In Tarija, the government plans to implement a similar project in Villamontes, where the availability of land and solar radiation favor the installation of medium-scale photovoltaic plants. These plants will supply the electricity needed for hydrogen production, with the goal of supplying both the local market and potential exports to neighboring countries. Santa Cruz, meanwhile, hosts pilot projects that combine solar generation with storage and electrolysis systems. The development of these projects seeks to lay the foundation for the creation of green hydrogen industrial hubs, taking advantage of the existing electrical infrastructure and proximity to consumption and export centers. The Government plans to develop these plants in collaboration with the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) and with non-reimbursable financing arranged through international cooperation. The government estimates an investment of up to $26 billion for the development of the green hydrogen industry by 2050. By 2030, projections point to exports exceeding $200 million in green hydrogen and annual production that could reach 4.2 million tons in the coming decades. The national strategy, developed with support from the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), defines a roadmap to 2050 and sets concrete goals for the production and use of green hydrogen in Bolivia. The plan includes joining the Clean Hydrogen Certification System for Latin America and the Caribbean (CERTHILAC), which will allow certification of the carbon intensity and renewable origin of the electricity used in hydrogen production, facilitating integration into international markets. We understand green hydrogen not only as a clean source of energy, but also as a concrete opportunity for industrial development, technological innovation, job creation, and national development, said Minister of Hydrocarbons and Energy Alejandro Gallardo. The Ministry of Hydrocarbons and Energy also promotes training and capacity building programs in solar and electrolysis technologies, with the goal of preparing a skilled workforce for the operation and maintenance of the new plants. These initiatives include the creation of laboratories and workshops for the manufacture of mini-electrolyzers and the integration of photovoltaic systems into the national industry. |
