H2U

Aspects of interest and promotion instruments

Within the framework of hydrogen promotion in the country, new instruments are being analyzed and developed.

 

NEW GREEN HYDROGEN SECTOR FUND

With the support of MIEM, ANII and LATU, the Hydrogen Sector Fund was launched with the purpose of financing research, innovation and training projects. In this framework, the Government of Uruguay, through ANII, made an open call to develop the first pilot projects of green hydrogen and derivatives. The company or group of companies that submit to the competitive process must design, build, finance, own, operate and maintain the production, use and commercialization of green hydrogen or derivatives. This process entails a non-refundable monetary support of 10 million dollars from the Government, which will be awarded and distributed within a period of no more than 10 years from the start of operations. The call for projects and its terms and conditions can be viewed at the link: Bases

Read the bulletin

TAX INCENTIVES

Currently, the Investment Promotion and Protection Law No. 16,906 provides an incentive framework for investments in the country. Investment projects must be submitted to the Application Commission of the Ministry of Economy and Finance. This regime promoted by the Executive Power applies with equal guarantees to both foreign and domestic investors.

More information here (in Spanish)

From 2/3/2022, green hydrogen will be included in the matrix of indicators for COMAP projects in the MIEM sector “Technological Level of the Elaborated Product”. Investments will obtain the maximum score for this indicator qualifying a “High-tech manufacture”.

On the other hand, the purchase of electric vehicles is tax exempt. Fuel cell vehicles, where the engine is solely electric, apply the existing exemptions regarding the Global Tariff Rate and IMESI in the acquisition.

In the case of Global Tariff Rate, this decree applies.

Regarding vehicles for the transportation of passengers (Buses – national tariff item 8702.40.90.00) and for the transportation of goods (Trucks – national tariff item 8704.60.00.00) powered only by electric motor, in both cases, the Global Tariff Rate is 0 and is set by MEF Resolution 4889/021, which incorporated the VII Amendment to the national regulations.

For the case of IMESI, this decree applies.

UNITED NATIONS JOINT FUND FOR THE SDGs

The Uruguayan project was chosen along with three other countries in the world. The fund grants 10 million dollars non-refundable, which will be used to leverage private financing for innovative and sustainable initiatives. Being the basis of the second energy transformation in Uruguay.

 

ACADEMY, RESEARCH and HYDROGEN

Through the Energy Sector Fund, through the ANII, projects related to hydrogen were promoted in the 2020 call and will continue in 2022.

From the academic sector, a network called RedH2Uy has been created, which links researchers from three institutions focused on different issues related to the production and use of hydrogen. Related institutions are the University of the Republic (UdelaR), the Technological University (UTEC) and the Clemente Estable Biological Research Institute (IIBCE).

Likewise, at the Catholic University of Uruguay (UCU), through the Energy and Sustainable Development Observatory, different publications on energy issues are being promoted, some of them focusing on aspects of hydrogen.

The Center for Higher National Studies (CALEN) of the Ministry of National Defense addresses strategic issues for the country. Among them, consider green hydrogen

 

 

Etiquetas