Hydrogen is obtained from the electrolysis of water molecules. If the energy required for the process is generated sustainably, the result is called green hydrogen. Currently, most hydrogen is produced from natural gas. When the carbon dioxide emitted in the process is stored in the earth, it is referred to as "blue hydrogen". White hydrogen is derived from unusual underground hydrogen sources that can be disposed of sustainably. All these processes share a common characteristic: on the one hand, they require the relevant natural circumstances and, on the other, a corresponding technological knowledge. The problem? Both resources are unevenly distributed around the planet.

Share resources

This is where hydrogen diplomacy comes in, which seeks to bring together global resources efficiently. In total, the Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit GmbH (GIZ) has set up seven "H2-diplo" offices representing the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Angola, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Nigeria, Saudi Arabia, Ukraine and Colombia. The geographical conditions in Colombia, with two oceans and large areas of land to generate solar and wind energy, harbor great potential for green hydrogen. Germany brings the technological knowledge and expertise of the hydrogen industry to this society.

This cooperation aimed at creating a sustainable energy industry is not only a benefit for the climate, but also for the economy of both countries. Colombia intends to become a major player in the new economic sector. To this end, the South American country has developed a hydrogen roadmap. By 2030, Colombia will seek to reach an electrolysis capacity of up to three gigawatts and use hydrogen in transport and industry, especially in fertilizer production and refineries. Likewise, the price by 2030 should range from a competitive US$1.70 per kilogram of green hydrogen. By 2050, Colombia intends to extend the use of hydrogen to other areas, such as the steel industry and aeronautics.

Visibility and connection

With the aim of supporting Colombia in this area, hydrogen diplomat Gina Lagunes is working on various projects with her team at the H2-diplo office in Bogotá. One of the obstacles to the development of green hydrogen is that, at present, demand is still too low, there is no economic incentive. For this reason, Lagunes and his team are conducting a study on potential incentives for hydrogen demand in the fertilizer sector. To this end, the office is organizing events to generate exchanges and study trips. In this way, it is sought that the actors of the industry and the economic sector that have not yet connected can start an exchange.

Likewise, together with the Colombian Ministry of Mines and Energy, the hydrogen office created the information platform "H2 Colombia Ecosystem", which can be accessed from August 2024. The idea is that investors can take a look at the various hydrogen projects in Colombia. The intention is for the country to gain visibility and attractiveness for international players as a place specialized in hydrogen. Hydrogen is also being promoted domestically as a new economic area. Colombia wants to promote decarbonization. In this regard, Germany can help by offering training so that people who worked in the coal industry can start to embark on a new path in the hydrogen industry.

Germany and Colombia are united by a long history of economic relations. As early as 1949, the Central Bank of West Germany and the Central Bank of Colombia agreed to exchange coffee, bananas and tobacco from the tropical country for machines and vehicles of German production. 75 years later, in 2024, with a trade volume of more than €50 billion, Germany is Colombia's fifth most important trading partner and its largest partner within the EU. With more than 280 cooperations between universities, the two countries are more connected than ever in the scientific field as well. More than 3700 people from Colombia study at German universities. The hydrogen office in the Colombian capital of Bogotá is another important milestone in the framework of the cooperation of both countries.

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