Filenews 8 October 2025 - by Charalambos Zakos
The painstaking efforts of several years began to pay off, both for his business plan and for the energy upgrade of Cyprus. The reason for Makis Ketis, the businessman who had the vision to create the first hydrogen production and distribution station in Cyprus.
The first hydrogen production station and refuelling station, at a cost of 7.5 million euros, has already received the required permits and will operate in the Aradippou area of Larnaca. Thus, timetables can now be set for the implementation of the grandiose plan.
Although there is still a lot to be done, Mr. Ketis appears optimistic and places the operation of the station, as well as the use of hydrogen by heavy and medium-duty vehicles, within 2027.
In an interview with "F", Makis Ketis, who is also the president of the Cyprus Hydrogen Association, referred to the challenges, the steps that need to be taken, but also the advantages and benefits of hydrogen in relation to both conventional fuels and Renewable Energy Sources.
Among other things, Mr. Ketis noted that there is a strong interest from individuals in joining the hydrogen economy, calling on the state to stand by this transition with state support and sponsorship plans for companies and citizens interested in adopting its use.
– Mr. Ketis, let's start with the easy question. You are the first to get a license to produce and sell hydrogen in Cyprus. Can you simply explain to us how hydrogen will work and how it will be produced?
Gladly. Firstly, the GreenH2CY project involves the installation and operation of an electrolysis plant, with a 2 megawatt (MW) proton exchange membrane (PEM), a hydrogen storage facility and a refuelling station.
The green hydrogen produced will be made through the electrolysis of water, using exclusively electricity from Renewable Energy Sources (RES). The water used during electrolysis will come from tertiary wastewater treatment by the Larnaca Water Development Department, while supporting the circular economy.
– If we can say it with an example. How many needs can your station cover? That is, how many cars can be filled per month? At the same time, will hydrogen only be able to be used in cars or can it be applied for example in heating systems or in other sectors that currently use fossil fuels?
This depends on a number of factors, such as the type of vehicles – whether they are saloons, commercial vehicles (ferries) or buses – and how many times each vehicle is filled per month.
GreenH2CY's plant is expected to produce approximately 150 tons of hydrogen fuel per year, which is equivalent to 627 tons of diesel fuel per year.
Green hydrogen is mainly intended for the mobility/transport sector and especially for medium-duty heavy vehicles, garbage trucks and buses, without excluding the refuelling of saloon cars.
That is, its use can be extended to any vehicles built for hydrogen use, as well as to replace fossil fuel-based vehicles.
At the same time, the GreenH2CY plant has the ability to supply other industrial units, which have either converted or installed equipment for the use of hydrogen for the production of their products, such as ovens, bricks, etc. It can also be used in central heating installations (boilers).
GreenH2CY will prevent the production of greenhouse gases equivalent to 21677 tons of CO2 in its first ten years of operation, attributed to the replacement of diesel fuel. The very reason why green hydrogen is considered a particularly versatile fuel is because it can be used in various other sectors, such as coastal shipping or even for equipment at airports.
– What are the advantages of hydrogen and what are the benefits of its use? For example, how much can someone who chooses to run on hydrogen instead of conventional fuels save?
Its biggest advantage is that it is a clean fuel, which does not produce greenhouse gas emissions when consumed. It produces only electricity and has clean water as waste. This means zero exhaust fumes and a cleaner atmosphere.
Also, thanks to its high energy density, it has the ability to store large amounts of energy in a small volume, which will play a critical and important role in the energy sector in our country, especially for the balance of networks.
By using it, energy dependence on fossil fuels is reduced - which is also the EU's goal - and the green economy is strengthened. In terms of cost, as green hydrogen plants are developed and its production increases, the cheaper it will become compared to today. This is very important as green hydrogen combines fast refuelling, long range and zero emissions. Hence it is superior to battery-powered electric mobility. Add to the advantages lower maintenance costs of a vehicle and the incentives given in most EU countries for hydrogen-powered vehicles.
What should be emphasized is that the production of green hydrogen does not depend on exogenous factors, such as the fluctuation of fossil fuel prices, which are influenced by geostrategic factors, such as wars and other interests of foreign countries.
– The use of hydrogen should logically start from public transport and heavy vehicles. Have you talked at a political and/or private level about whether there is interest from private individuals to use hydrogen?
The start of the hydrogen economy is likened to the well-known riddle: Did the chicken make the egg or the egg the chicken? The answer is at the same time. Therefore, we will have to achieve the production and consumption of hydrogen at the same time.
The private sector has taken the initiative and has taken bold steps, even before there was a development framework for the production of hydrogen in our country. And it has managed, with the support of the development of projects by the EU, to bring the production of hydrogen one step ahead of implementation.
This is extremely important because with the development of the hydrogen industry, the domestic economy will be stimulated, new jobs will be created and new business opportunities will arise, increasing the competitiveness of our country. Because domestic industry will be able to produce products and offer services, with a lower environmental footprint. With the opening of Cyprus to new hydrogen-related markets, there will be significant prospects for new product exports and international collaborations. And of course, with its use in public transport, our country will reduce its carbon footprint and implement its targets in accordance with the National Energy and Climate Plan (NECP).
– What investments will be needed to move this effort forward and to see hydrogen used in Cyprus?
GreenH2CY aims to scale up production in the future, both at the project site and in other locations that have already been identified, with the aim of strengthening vehicle fleets, either for transport or commercial transport.
This is the first of its kind in Cyprus and is funded - I should note - by the Innovation Fund of the Emissions Trading System of the European Union.
It is a particularly important step for the consolidation of the hydrogen economy in our country, but the state in turn needs to implement the national strategy it has prepared.
In this context, it must rapidly promote support schemes for hydrogen users as an alternative fuel - be it public transport or commercial transport vehicles - as well as develop infrastructure and regulate the regulatory framework, in line with European directives. Otherwise, we will miss an extremely important opportunity for our country.
– When will we see hydrogen being used in Cyprus? Is there a timetable or estimate for when its production, supply and use can start in the country?
This pilot project is scheduled to be operational by September 2027 at the latest, with use in transport for medium-duty heavy vehicles. However, in order to be able to comply with it, the necessary state support is also needed with sponsorship plans for companies interested in adopting the use of hydrogen. The same applies to the scaling up and subsequent application of hydrogen in industry and coastal shipping. The state should play its regulatory and institutional role.
