A historic milestone in Switzerland’s green energy transition was marked with the inauguration of the country’s first hydrogen filling station on a Swiss highway.
Operated by the Swiss branch of the Azerbaijani public energy group Socar, the station was opened at the Grauholz rest area near Bern, joining the existing network of around 15 other stations across the country. The launch event occurred this past Friday, setting a new precedent for future green energy infrastructure.
Around 100 trucks and 150 passenger cars currently utilize hydrogen fuel cells in Switzerland, a number which is expected to rise with the increased accessibility offered by this new station. The strategic location on the A1 motorway will cater to the high volume of east-west traffic, indicating promising prospects for sustainable energy consumption.
The director of the Federal Roads Office (FEDRO), Jürg Röthlisberger, expressed during the inauguration that hydrogen offers significant potential as a means of summer energy storage in the journey towards decarbonization. The large-scale application of hydrogen also represents considerable financial opportunities.
However, Edgar Bachmann, the Swiss director of Socar, emphasized the high cost associated with setting up hydrogen filling stations. The hydrogen must be compressed under high pressure, necessitating significant safety devices both for the station’s infrastructure and for refueling. Despite the cost implications, Bachmann insisted the need for such stations is palpable.
The opening ceremony was attended by distinguished guests including SOCAR Energy CEO Edgar Bachmann, Swiss federal government and canton of Bern officials, Swiss business community representatives, and media personnel. One of the key attendees, Azerbaijani Ambassador to Switzerland Fuad Iskandarov, lauded the joint venture as the beginning of collaborative work towards a cleaner future.
In his remarks, Ambassador Iskandarov detailed the successful initiatives implemented by Azerbaijan in the green transition sector. He emphasized Azerbaijan’s contribution to Europe’s energy security and the delivery of green energy, attributing this success to the visionary leadership of national leader Heydar Aliyev and President Ilham Aliyev.
With this development, SOCAR Energy anticipates observing the station’s evolution and will compile a comprehensive report in the next one or two years. This innovative hydrogen filling station marks a significant step forward in leveraging renewable energy, setting an example for further initiatives across the globe.
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