The Conference "Towards Hydrogen Society". Signing of MOU.

9/22/03

Valgerður Sverrisdóttir,
Minister of Industry and Commerce.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

It is an honor and a pleasure for me to welcome you to Iceland and to this event to sign a Memorandum of Understanding on hydrogen between Manitoba and Iceland. I especially want to welcome the Honorable Tim Sale, Minister of Energy, Science and Technology, for the Province of Manitoba, Canada.

Manitoba and Iceland have strong cultural ties all the way back to the 1870s, and share a similar focus in many fields like energy, particularly hydroelectric power as a main renewable source of energy. Manitoba and Iceland also have good political, business and academic ties. Today, one more step is being taking towards closer co-operation between these regions by signing this memorandum on Hydrogen co-operation.

For many years, it has been the policy of the Government of Iceland to increase utilization of renewable energy resources in harmony with the environment, and now 72% of the total gross energy usage in the country derive from renewable energy resources, which is the highest percentage in the world. The policy and priorities on hydrogen are just one part of this long-term policy.

Hydrogen has been on the research agenda here in Iceland for years, and in 1998 the Government gave a clear statement towards a Sustainable Hydrogen Society. Main elements of our policy are; favorable framework for business, international co-operation, research, and education and training. One element of our policy is to create here in Iceland a favorable Platform for International Hydrogen Research.

Our long-term vision is that hydrogen fuel will replace the fossil fuel used for our transport sector and fishery fleet, as soon as it becomes technically and economically feasible. The fruits of this policy are better use of renewable energy, less pollution, positive elements for the climate change and economic and environment benefits for us all.

In April this year, the first hydrogen refueling station in Iceland and the first one built at a conventional petrol station in the world, was opened. That event was an important step and highlighted the importance of international co-operation in this field.

Dear guests,

With this Memorandum of Understanding we have a better base for stakeholders in our regions to co-operate on hydrogen - universities, companies, agencies and others that can take practical steps and make things happen, create products, services and value for concerning partners, the regions and the people.

We in Iceland and Manitoba have possibilities to realize our plans for hydrogen development by using our vision, technology, opportunities, co-operation and knowledge. We have a long way to go – but nothing happens without a dream, and we must have a dream for a better world."

I do hope that this memorandum will be fruitful for us all.

Thank you.