Frederick University hosted the conference “Hydrogen for a Clean Future,” which took place on 14 November in Nicosia, in the presence of the Minister of Energy, Commerce and Industry, George Papanastasiou.

The conference was co-organized by the Cyprus Hydrogen Association (CHA) and the Cyprus Employers and Industrialists Federation (OEB) and brought together speakers from Cyprus and abroad who travelled to participate in the exploration of one of the most transformative energy technologies of our time.

The presence of a high-level and diverse audience highlighted the rapidly growing interest in the role of hydrogen in shaping Cyprus’s energy future.

In his address, the Minister stated that the Government will support the development of hydrogen by actively encouraging private initiatives and pilot projects. He stressed that hydrogen has become a key pillar of the European decarbonization strategy, a driver of industrial competitiveness, and a future geopolitical asset.

“The European Union has recognized this through the 2020 Hydrogen Strategy, the REPowerEU plan, the establishment of the European Hydrogen Bank, and the creation of the European Network of Network Operators for Hydrogen (ENNOH),” he said, noting that the Ministry participated actively in the Network’s formation from its earliest stages.

“Today, Cyprus participates as an associated partner in ENNOH, demonstrating our commitment to contributing to the development of European hydrogen infrastructure from the outset. This involvement ensures that our country remains connected to the broader European hydrogen ecosystem and benefits from technical cooperation, knowledge exchange and coordinated planning. Our participation reflects our belief that, although we are a small island state, we must be present at the table where the future of European hydrogen is being shaped,” the Minister added.

Mr. Papanastasiou also referred to Cyprus’s National Hydrogen Strategy, which, as he noted, represents a realistic and feasible approach tailored to the country’s specific circumstances and needs.

On behalf of Frederick University, the Rector, Professor George Demosthenous, delivered a welcome address: “Your presence at our University underscores the vital importance of hydrogen in shaping our energy future, and I thank you for your commitment to advancing this crucial discussion,” he said.

The Rector emphasized Frederick University’s longstanding commitment to excellence in research and innovation, particularly in areas addressing society’s most pressing challenges. “Energy transition and decarbonization are defining challenges of our generation, and we are especially proud of the University’s significant research contributions in the hydrogen field. We work consistently to advance hydrogen and sustainable energy research through the expertise of our academic staff. Our commitment reflects the recognition of hydrogen’s critical role in addressing the challenges of the energy transition and supporting regional sustainability goals. We remain dedicated to providing evidence-based contributions to the real-world energy challenges facing Cyprus and the wider Mediterranean region.”

Addresses were also delivered by the President of the Cyprus Hydrogen Association, Makis Ketonis, and MP Kyriakos Hadjiyiannis, member of the Parliamentary Committee on Energy, Commerce and Industry.

The conference convened an excellent group of experts, policymakers and industry leaders who shared insights on European policy developments, technological advances and practical applications across multiple sectors.

Among the speakers were Jorgo Chatzimarkakis; Andreas Poullikkas, Professor of Energy Systems at Frederick University; Periklis Pilides, Professor at Cranfield University; Dr. Nikolaos Lymperopoulos; Mr. Konstantinos Chatzifotis; Mr. Jens Wulff; and Mr. Paul McCormack.

Hydrogen Europe CEO, Jorgo Chatzimarkakis, highlighted the strategic role of hydrogen in Europe’s energy transition and the opportunities it creates for countries such as Cyprus.

In the same context, Professor Andreas Poullikkas presented findings from recent studies on the potential role of hydrogen in Cyprus’s energy system, outlining both the technical possibilities and the challenges that must be addressed for its smooth and effective integration.

Valuable contributions were also made by Professor Periklis Pilides from Cranfield University and Dr. Nikolaos Louberopoulos, until recently a member of the Executive Board of the Clean Hydrogen Partnership, who shared extensive expertise on hydrogen technologies and funding mechanisms.

Technical and business-oriented perspectives were presented by Mr. Konstantinos Chatzifotis of the Motor Oil Hellas Group, with particular reference to the Greek Hydrogen Valley, TRIĒRĒS.

In the same spirit, Mr. Jens Wulff, CEO of Neuman & Esser, and Mr. Paul McCormack, CEO of Hydrogen Ireland, shared valuable European experience regarding infrastructure and technological development.

From the role of hydrogen in the energy transition to strategies for decarbonizing our energy system, the discussions that followed were both substantive and productive.

The conference also featured the announcement of an ambitious initiative: the creation of a joint cooperation programme between the Cyprus Hydrogen Association and its Irish counterpart, aiming to prepare and submit a joint proposal to the Presidency of the Council of the European Union for strengthening and promoting green hydrogen at the European level.

The event attracted more than 100 participants, creating a dynamic environment for knowledge exchange, networking and meaningful dialogue on the technological, regulatory and developmental prospects of hydrogen. The active participation of representatives from ministries, parliamentary institutions, universities, embassies, businesses and financial organizations further underscored the significance of the conference.