The official hydrogen event in Rotterdam spoke to the world’s hydrogen and energy leaders about the future outlook for the hydrogen industry, including the Mayor of the City of Rotterdam, Ahmed Aboutaleb.
Could you reflect on what you shared with the audience?
Well, what I said this morning at the opening remarks is that we are now on the edge of the, what I call the fourth civilization transition not only the energy transition we are moving to something very special.
As we did when we come from the Stone Age to team or from the steam to the electricity, this is a huge phenomenon and it’s therefore that the industry, the knowledge, the scientific sector, but also local, regional, and national governments have to work together to accelerate this process to become as soon as possible, independent from what I call the complicated energy sources in the world, like the Middle East and Russia
If we want to realize a hydrogen economy, what is first priority?
I think that when on a crucial phase in the Netherlands, this government with Minister Jetten, it’s really moving fast forward to make an end to what I call a kind of hesitating climate. Who is to win what first industry sciences, the cities, the region? The national government has now, I think, the moments to focus on collaborating and bringing all these forces together. And what I asked the Minister is when it comes to the Port of Rotterdam and into the city.
This is the major place to do the work and only for the consumption as we have large industry but also for the distribution as well as the infrastructure. Trust on Rotterdam, trust on the port, trust on the companies and let’s help you to accelerate this process within the coming 6, 7, 8 years.
What do you think about the World Hydrogen Summit and how it is positioned to form a role as a connector?
I think it’s really important this summit because it will bring the demand and the production together. There will be a completely new players in the world when it comes to hydrogen. Morocco, Chile, Australia.
I think it’s really important to know that the classic players when it comes to oil and gas will not be the same when it comes to hydrogen. So, there will be new market, so this is the moment to bring all these forces together, to talk, to negotiate, to make plans, to seek for investments there where the opportunities are to generate green hydrogen. For instance, there’s probably a lack of resources, lack of money, or budget to invest. This seminar, I think is really crucial and very important to bring all these pointers together. And so, it’s Important not only to speak in the plenary, but also to have enough time for the coffee.
Produced by the Sustainable Energy Council in partnership with the Port of Rotterdam, the City of Rotterdam and the Province of Zuid Holland, the global event welcomes 8000 industry professionals, 170+ Speakers, 350 Exhibitors and 50 sponsors to share latest news, establish key connections and sign business deals to accelerate the deployment of the hydrogen economy. Register your place among hydrogen pioneers: https://www.world-hydrogen-summit.com/registration/
