The Moravian-Silesian Region is set to become ‘hydrogen heart’
Sustainable Urban Mobility
The Moravian-Silesian Region is currently implementing a major Clean Mobility project, which will help strengthen the Region’s image as one of the leading centres for hi-tech solutions not only in the Czech Republic, but in the whole of Europe.
Deputy Regional President Jakub Unucka, whose responsibilities include transport and the Smart Region concept, gave more details:
“All our activities in this area are targeted at one key goal – to ensure that we become a model region for low-emissions transport, offering excellent conditions for the development of alternative transport solutions. Our region used to be known as the country’s ‘steel heart’ – but now it is our ambition to become the ‘hydrogen heart’. Hydrogen technology is the only truly zero-emissions form of transport, so we are focusing our efforts on this area and seeking to make the transition to genuinely clean transport as soon as possible. The Moravian-Silesian Region is planning to work in close cooperation with the City of Ostrava, and we will be signing a joint declaration committing ourselves to pool our resources in this key area. The joint declaration will help us to become one of Europe’s leading hubs for hydrogen transport. In the initial phase we are planning to create at least two hydrogen stations in the Region – one in Ostrava and the other at a different location, perhaps Opava. As part of our strategic approach, we will be supporting transport providers in modernizing their fleets to include hydrogen cars, buses, and trains.”
The Moravian-Silesian Region has already purchased electric cars, charging stations and CNG cars as part of its drive to improve air quality and the environment in general. Two electric cars and five new CNG cars are available for use by employees of the Region travelling on official business. The new vehicles were acquired with the help of the national environmental subsidy programme, and they will be used not only by Regional Authority employees, but also by the Region’s social services centres, the technical college in Karviná, and the Moravian-Silesian Energy Centre. In just a few weeks, paramedics from the Region’s Rescue Service will also be taking delivery of a new electric vehicle.
The Region currently owns 6 electric vehicles, 27 CNG vehicles, and 1 hybrid vehicle.
Deputy Regional President Jakub Unucka explained why the Region is taking the lead:
“It is hugely important for our Region to support alternative forms of transport – whether electric or CNG vehicles. In our opinion, hydrogen mobility is the way forward for the future – so if we set a good example to our citizens, the Moravian-Silesian Region can become renowned as having the cleanest transport in the country. But in order to make that a reality, we have to create the necessary conditions and take a proactive approach. Infrastructure will be at the heart of this approach.”
Tomáš Kotyza, the Director of the Regional Authority, emphasized the wide-ranging benefits of alternative transport:
“By promoting and using alternative fuels, we can make a major contribution to improving air quality throughout the Region, which in turn will improve quality of life for all citizens. CNG and electric vehicles produce significantly less pollution than standard internal combustion engines, and they are also much quieter.” Kotyza added that the Regional Authority sees environmental issues as a key priority when providing public services of all types: “We always take into account environmental impacts in our public service provision. We are taking a clear lead in promoting eco-friendly activities – and we hope to show that everybody can play their own part in helping to protect and improve the environment.” In 2012 the Regional Authority was awarded the EU’s EMAS (Eco-Management and Audit Scheme) certificate, making it the first “green” regional authority in the country – and the certification has been successfully renewed in the subsequent years.