AlwaysFree: Ecopetrol Plans Pilot Project To Produce Green Hydrogen

Colombia’s state-owned Ecopetrol plans a pilot hydrogen project at its 165,000 bpd Cartagena refinery. The company will import a small electrolyser from Spain in next year’s first quarter. Electrolysers use renewable power to extract “green” hydrogen from water. The company currently consumes up to 130 tons/year of fossil-based “grey” hydrogen to remove sulfur from motor fuels. CEO Felipe Bayon also said that the company is also considering “blue” hydrogen, produced from fossil fuel, but the resulting carbon emissions are captured. Colombia has pledged to reach carbon neutrality by 2050. In July, the government enacted an energy transition law that makes blue and green hydrogen eligible for lower income tax, VAT, and tariff exemptions.