Mexico and Japan Join Forces to Promote Green Hydrogen

Private organizations from Mexico and Japan formed an alliance to promote initiatives related to the green hydrogen industry, as well as to share experiences regarding the development of this market.

The Mexican Hydrogen Association (AMH2) signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Japan External Trade Organization in Mexico (JETRO), an agreement that establishes a close collaboratory relationship as strategic international allies Together, the organizations aim to exchange information about the hydrogen industry in Mexico and Japan in order to promote possible joint initiatives, to the benefit of the commercial relationship between both countries.

As part of the agreement, both parties will hold regular meetings to exchange relevant information about the hydrogen industry, as well as share best practices for its use as clean energy source. Among the objectives, the identification of trade and investment opportunities that contribute to the development of the sector stands out.

JETRO and AMH2 committed to participate in activities to promote the green hydrogen industry, such as forums, seminars and conferences, as well as to jointly promote projects and foster strategic alliances between Japanese and Mexican companies. Israel Hurtado, President, AMH2 thanked Takao Nakahata, Director General, JETRO Mexico, and Neysa Tallaneli Criollo Padilla, Deputy Director of Projects and Institutional Relations, JETRO, for their willingness to sign the document that boosts Mexico’s energy transition.

Experts have expressed their faith in Mexico’s potential to become a strong exporter of green hydrogen. Given the potentially low hydrogen production costs in the country, as well as the benefits of access to the Atlantic Ocean, Mexico is positioned as a fairly competitive long-distance exporter. Mexico’s renewable energy capacity could translate to 22GW of electrolysis capacity, which would then produce around 1.4 billion tons of green hydrogen a year.

Industry insiders feel that Mexico has been somewhat slow to develop its green hydrogen industry. However, several international studies by the World Energy Council (WEC) and the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) show a great potential to produce, use and export green hydrogen in Mexico.

"Mexico can be a power among the 10 most important countries in green hydrogen production. They place us around the 5th and 6th place, but we have to produce to be in those places," said Hurtado. Collaborations such as this one may spur the development of Mexico’s nascent industry.