Greece Joins the European Hydrogen Mobility Network with the Opening of Its First Hydrogen Station
Motor Oil has launched the first hydrogen refueling station in Greece, located in Agioi Theodoroi under the AVIN brand. Executives highlighted this milestone at a special event, emphasizing its significance for advancing hydrogen mobility in the country. This station represents an investment of approximately 3 million euros, showcasing the Group’s commitment to becoming a key player in the future of renewable fuels.
The project stands out on national, regional, and European levels, being the first publicly accessible commercial hydrogen station in Greece and one of the pioneers in Southeastern Europe. It is also noteworthy for being the first European station developed with 50% co-financing from the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF) – Transport program, paving the way for the commercial availability of purely green fuels for road transport in Greece.
Hydrogen vs. Electrification
Hydrogen addresses challenges in electrification, necessitating a departure from the traditional reliance on green electricity. “Our energy system includes liquid, gaseous, and solid fuels. Hydrogen is expected to play an independent role and serve as an intermediary in synthetic fuel production,” stated Yiannis Raptakis, General Manager of AVIN Oil. He noted that hydrogen can be crucial in areas where electrification poses difficulties. Globally, the hydrogen mobility sector is active, with 125 new stations projected to open in 2024.
Despite the launch of this inaugural refueling station and ongoing efforts by the Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure to establish a regulatory framework through an under-consultation bill, market challenges remain. Hydrogen Europe CEO Jorgo Chatzimarkakis emphasized, “The primary concern is the market itself.”
Benefits of Hydrogen
The advantages of hydrogen mobility are compelling: it produces zero emissions, allows for quick refueling (averaging 3-5 minutes), and offers a range of 500-700 kilometers. These characteristics make hydrogen ideal for commercial applications, long-distance travel, and goods transport across shipping and aviation sectors.
Furthermore, as the hydrogen market expands, its applications in refineries are key, with “gray” and “blue” hydrogen currently in use and plans to transition to “green” hydrogen for enhanced decarbonization.
