The EU as well as Germany, UK and Slovakia see a great opportunity in hydrogen technologies. The European Commission has presented a hydrogen strategy which promises significant emission cuts. Slovakia would like to produce hydrogen in nuclear power plants, and to build engineering networks in Upper Nitra.
The Economy Ministry wants to introduce 14 measures for the development of this energy source. Supporting patents and drawing EU funds for research projects should be part of the strategy. Subsidies for hydrogen vehicles could soon be available. "If this is to be done, we will need hydrogen filling stations. We will try to start building a network of stations. Hydrogen has a huge potential for Slovakia in the long run," Economy Minister Richard Sulik said. According to energy analyst Karel Hirman, while support for hydrogen is reasonable, nationwide implementation can be risky both economically and energy-wise. "Hydrogen so far is clearly less advantageous as compared to electromobility," Hirman says.
