Azerbaijan's oil giant to launch electrolyzer plant in Switzerland

The State Oil Company of Azerbaijan (SOCAR) is set to develop a network of 100 fast-charging stations in Switzerland by 2026.

As outlined in SOCAR's 2023 Sustainability Report, 20 fast-charging stations are currently operational along highways and key areas in Zurich, per Caliber.Az.

In a bid to produce green hydrogen, a consortium formed by SOCAR Energy Switzerland, Alpiq, and EW Hofe plans to build an electrolyzer plant in Freienbach, with a capacity of up to 10 megawatts. Construction is expected to commence in 2025, with the plant projected to generate between 1,000 and 1,200 tons of green hydrogen annually. This hydrogen will be delivered to SOCAR's refuelling stations along the Fuchsberg highway via pipeline.

The report also notes that SOCAR Energy Switzerland has inaugurated its first hydrogen refuelling station near Bern, which supplies fuel to approximately 150 trucks each month. Furthermore, the company is expanding its electric vehicle charging station network.

By the end of 2023, SOCAR had increased the number of refuelling stations in Switzerland to 206.

Established in 1992 and headquartered in Baku, SOCAR plays a vital role in Azerbaijan's economy and energy sector. The company is involved in various aspects of the oil and gas industry, including exploration, production, refining, transportation, and distribution of oil and gas products. With operations extending beyond Azerbaijan, SOCAR has established partnerships with international oil and gas companies and is engaged in projects across Europe, the Middle East, and Asia.

One of SOCAR's most significant undertakings is the Shah Deniz gas field, one of the largest gas fields globally, which is crucial for supplying gas to Europe via the Southern Gas Corridor. Additionally, SOCAR is a key stakeholder in the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan (BTC) pipeline, which transports oil from the Caspian Sea to the Mediterranean, enhancing energy security for Europe.

In recent years, SOCAR has also focused on sustainable energy initiatives, including investments in renewable sources such as wind and solar power, as well as projects related to green hydrogen.

By Tamilla Hasanova