H2U Program
i) H2U Innovation
Innovation and research related to green hydrogen and derivatives will be promoted through various mechanisms and funds. In particular, the recent creation of the Hydrogen Sector Fund, which will support innovative projects, as well as research projects, stands out.
Private sector companies and public companies will have a fundamental role in the generation of ideas and execution of innovative projects.
The institutions responsible for coordinating this component will be: Ministry of Industry, Energy and Mining (MIEM), National Agency for Research and Innovation (ANII), Technological Laboratory of Uruguay (LATU) and the Academic sector.
ii) H2U Investments
This component will work on all necessary aspects to facilitate investments in green hydrogen projects and derivatives in Uruguay: tax incentives, permits, design of green hydrogen certification, special tariffs for electricity/tolls and international cooperation.
The institutions responsible for coordinating this component will be: MIEM, Ministry of Economy and Finance (MEF), Ministry of Environment (MA), Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MRREE), Office of Planning and Budget (OPP) and the Institute for the Promotion of Investment, Export of Goods and Services and Country Image (Uruguay XXI)
iii) H2U Infrastructure
Uruguay has the infrastructure for green hydrogen and derivatives projects to start operating. The port of Montevideo with access to the Atlantic Ocean with the possibility of exporting synthetic fuels and the Central Railway, waterways and roads that connect the area of greatest potential for renewable energy with the port of Montevideo.
The infrastructures to be developed are linked to the installation of new electric transmission networks, gas pipelines and eventually port operations. All these aspects will be evaluated and articulated with the different actors linked to the sector, in order to define the different steps to follow.
Given the potential of wind energy in the Atlantic, and with a long-term view, the potential of this resource in the marine platform will be studied.
The institutions responsible for coordinating this component will be: MIEM, Ministry of Transport and Public Work (MTOP), National Ports Administration (ANP), National Administration of Fuels, Alcohol and Portland (ANCAP), National Administration of Power Plants and Electric Transmissions (UTE).
iv) H2U Regulation
Following the powers granted to the Energy and Water Services Regulatory Unit (URSEA), in Article 150 of the Accountability Law No. 19,996 of 2021, regulations will be issued regarding the production, storage and transportation of hydrogen. In this way, clear technical and safety standards will be established regarding this energy vector and its derivatives.
Progress will be made in aspects related to streamlining the management of servitudes for electric transmission networks and gas pipelines.
Progress will be made in the regulatory aspects of land use planning related to the development of hydrogen and derivatives infrastructures. Taking into account the decentralization of activities with industrial characteristics in rural areas, which may involve the re-categorization of land.
The institutions responsible for coordinating this component will be: MIEM, Energy and Water Services Regulatory Unit (URSEA), MVOT, MTOP, MA.
v) H2U Offshore
Given the potential of wind energy in the Atlantic, and with a long-term view, the potential of this resource in the marine platform will be studied.
The institutions responsible for coordinating this component will be: MIEM, ANCAP
vi) H2U Communications and capacity building
Transparent and active communication with the public will be promoted in order to generate ownership of the concept of sustainability and the country's global positioning.
We will seek to develop contents that allow a better understanding of the technology and its benefits, as well as its contribution to the global decarbonization challenges.
The population will be kept informed about the progress being made, with special attention to those actors particularly involved in each case.
The generation of local capacities is a key element to promote the development of green hydrogen and avoid possible gaps between supply and demand at the level of operators, technicians, engineers and specialists. Training in renewable energies, and in particular in technologies related to hydrogen and its derivatives, should be reinforced.
The institutions responsible for coordinating this component will be: Presidency of the Republic, MIEM, MREE, National Academy: universities, UTU and the National Council for Innovation, Science and Technology (CONICYT) among others.