Green Hydrogen Industrial Clusters
Our Mission in this field
We are dedicated to supporting developing countries in accelerating the application of locally produced green hydrogen in industrial zones, clusters and parks.
Countries with abundant renewable energy resources have an opportunity to develop promising new industrial systems or to decarbonize existing industries using green hydrogen and renewable energy. Development of Green Hydrogen Industrial Clusters could be a good strategy for enabling industrial decarbonisation and development in an environmentally sustainable and socially responsible manner.
UNIDO defines green hydrogen industrial clusters (GHIC) as industrial regions or clusters that share green hydrogen (production, transport and use) and renewable energy electricity, in addition to other resources, for different purposes, including material production, heating and cooling, local mobility and industrial feedstock. Such clusters are characterized by internal linkages enabling cooperation, specialized expertise, services, resources, suppliers and skills, and further generate various advantages among the participants, including the distribution of the investment and mitigation of risks. Green hydrogen industrial clusters can reduce greenhouse gas emissions, promote investment, create employment and foster economic growth that is environmentally sustainable and socially responsible.
As a key element of the programme, UNIDO developed a model for “green hydrogen industrial clusters”. This model aims to accelerate the application of locally produced green hydrogen in industrial zones, clusters and parks. It aims to serve as a replicable model through which countries can deploy green hydrogen technologies to achieve their emissions reductions and industrial production goals, as well as to generate economic and social opportunities. This requires significant amounts of green hydrogen and coordination among the stakeholders within the clusters. The model guides governments and industries in preparing, implementing and upscaling green hydrogen industrial clusters.
UNIDO developed the model based on its extensive experience with industrial cluster models and projects, including Eco-Industrial Parks, Integrated Agro-Industrial Parks, and Sustainable Industrial Parks projects, as well as resource efficiency and cleaner production initiatives, including the National Cleaner Production Centres. The model is also based on an exhaustive analysis of 20 different hydrogen and renewable energy clusters and valleys.
In this focus area, UNIDO provides support on the global as well as regional & national levels:
Publication and online sharing of knowledge products.
National/Regional workshops on the guidelines.
Piloting of the model as part of child projects of the global clean hydrogen program in participating countries.