- During President Gustavo Petro’s visit to Germany, the Ministers of Mines and Energy, Irene Vélez, and of Trade, Industry, and Tourism, Germán Umaña Mendoza, signed a memorandum of understanding with the Fraunhofer Society, a global leader in applied
Berlin, Federal Republic of Germany– Colombia and Germany signed an agreement in Berlin on Friday, which envisages cooperation with the Fraunhofer Society, one of the world’s leaders in research, to analyze the production of green hydrogen and its derivatives for export to the European nation.
During President Gustavo Petro‘s visit to Germany, the Ministers of Mines and Energy, Irene Vélez, and of Trade, Industry, and Tourism, Germán Umaña Mendoza, signed a memorandum of understanding with the Fraunhofer Society.
The memorandum signed for the assessment of the transportation chains of this fuel emphasizes that “Colombia has been setting the course for an ambitious hydrogen development that includes several Regional Hydrogen Hubs and the development of the Strategic Industrial Area of Cartagena as a potential future large-scale Hydrogen Center, thanks to its excellent wind and solar resources.”
According to the studies presented last December during a meeting of experts from both countries, the Caribbean Region of Colombia has the potential to become a significant hydrogen industrial zone and deliver significant volumes to local and international markets at competitive prices.
“We appreciate this collaboration because we are confident that it is the beginning of many knowledge opportunities that will bring us closer to a more sustainable planet,” stated the Minister of Mines and Energy, Irene Vélez.
She referred to the world’s turning point due to the climate crisis and the importance of decarbonizing the economy.
“We are certain that green hydrogen is an opportunity for Colombia to close social and economic gaps,” she said.
On his part, the Minister of Commerce, Industry, and Tourism, Germán Umaña Mendoza, said, “Since the beginning of this government, we have been advocating the need to adopt a policy of sustainable development, energy transition, and we have proposed the reindustrialization process of our economy.”
He emphasized that the signed memorandum aims for economic transition with models such as green hydrogen and ammonia, agro-industrial development, and the transition towards biofertilizers.
 World Leader
The Fraunhofer Society, established in 1949, is the largest applied research organization in Europe. In Germany alone, it comprises 76 institutes and facilities, and has branches in the United States, Brazil, South Africa, Israel, China, and India.
Over the course of more than 70 years, it has developed technologies such as the mp3 format, which became a global standard; the airbag used in automobiles; and the quantum computer.
One of the main topics it is currently working on is hydrogen technology, including fuel cells that convert the element into electricity.
SOURCE: https://petro.presidencia.gov.co/
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