Agenda

In August 2024, President Lula Da Silva signed a sweeping regulatory framework to accelerate Brazil’s hydrogen industry, introducing financial incentives, technological support, and a certification system. H2LAC 2025 will analyze its implications for international developers and investors.

Key Themes & Sessions:

Demand-Side Focus (Day 2): Co-Hosted by CNI – Who are the local and international off-takers? What are the prospects for a Brazilian low-emission H₂ market and exports?
Innovative Hydrogen Financing: Exploring green bonds, blended finance, public-private partnerships, and global funding strategies.
Infrastructure & Investment: Addressing Latin America’s infrastructure gaps to secure project delivery and investor confidence.
Country Spotlights: The latest insights on low-carbon hydrogen developments across Latin America, including key policy updates, investment trends, and projects in Colombia, Chile, and Argentina.
Green Fertilizers: Paraguay’s leadership through the Atome-Yara agreement and regional opportunities in sustainable fertilizer production.
H2LAC Women’s Network: Strengthening connections, collaboration, and knowledge-sharing among women in the regional hydrogen industry.
Annual IDB Government Roundtable: Regional officials assess national progress and discuss DFI and private sector inputs needed to accelerate development.
H2LAC Industry Awards: Recognizing excellence in Latin America’s hydrogen sector.

Tuesday

July 15

9:00-9:10

Welcome Remarks

Marina Domingues

Brazilian Hydrogen Association
Director
Francisca Salas

New Energy Events
Green Hydrogen Program Director

9:10-9:30

Host Country Keynote Address

9:30-9:50

The Year in Review: The New Energy/Hinicio 2025 Hydrogen Index for Latin America & the Caribbean

What has changed since last year? Are we progressing toward FID?
What key investment trends have emerged in the past 12 months?
How does LAC compare to other hydrogen hubs worldwide?

Luis Miguel Diazgranados

Hinicio
Head of Colombia
Francisca Salas

New Energy Events
Green Hydrogen Program Director

9:50-10:40

The External View: How Competitive is Latin America and the Caribbean?

What competitive advantages does LAC have given global geopolitical volatility?
Lessons from other global hydrogen hubs (EU, Australia, Middle East)
What international support and/or mechanisms are available to LAC countries?
What can LAC countries do to catalyze private sector investment from outside the region?

Gabriela Elizondo

The World Bank
Practice Manager, Energy Sector, Latin America and Caribbean
Susana Moreira

H2Global Foundation
Executive Director and Co-chair
Daria Nochevnick

Hydrogen Council
Head of Policy & Advocacy
Maria Assumpció Rojo Torrent

Hydrogen Europe
Executive Director, International Advocacy
Petra Schwager

UNIDO
Chief, Climate and Technology Partnership

Annette Killmer

Inter-American Development Bank
Country Representative - Brazil Moderator

10:40-10:50

The Role of Hydrogen in Energy Transformation and Sustainable Industry in Latin America

Keynote Remarks

Gunther Beger

UNIDO
Managing Director

10:50-11:30

Latin America Leaders Panel | Unlocking Regional Hydrogen Synergies: Infrastructure, Policy, and Investment

Do we believe that the region can be competitive on the global stage?
Can shared pipelines, ports, and supply chains lower costs and increase efficiency?
Should the region prioritize domestic demand before exports?
What practical steps can countries take to harmonize certification and policies?

Thiago Barral

Government of Brazil
National Secretary of Energy Transition & Planning
Mauricio Bejarano Martí

Government of Paraguay
Vice Minister of Mines and Energy
Dr. Marcelino Madrigal Martínez

Inter-American Development Bank
Chief of the Energy Division
Luis Felipe Ramos

Government of Chile
Undersecretary of Energy

11:30-12:00

Coffee Break & Networking

12:00-12:45

Brazil as a Global Hydrogen Player: A Case Study on Policy & Investment

With the publication of the National Low-Carbon Hydrogen Policy, Brazil has positioned itself at the forefront of the global hydrogen industry, committing US$3.3 billion to incentivize its growth.

How will Brazil’s new hydrogen incentives and certification system impact the domestic and global market?
Can Brazil balance local industry protection with international trade?
What role will derivatives like green ammonia play in Brazil’s hydrogen export strategy?

Radáes Fronchetti Picoli

Petrobras
Sustainable Fuels General Manager
Roseane Oliveira de Medeiros

Government of the State of Ceara
Secretary of State for International Relations
Luis Viga

Fortescue Future Industries
Brazil Country Manager

12:45-1:30

Building the Backbone: Hydrogen Infrastructure for a Competitive Market

What’s missing in LAC’s hydrogen value chain?
Who should be responsible for infrastructure development (ports, pipelines, transport)?
Can shared infrastructure models accelerate investment?

Paulo Alvarenga

thyssenkrupp Group - South America
CEO
Mauro Andrade

Prumo Logística
Business Development Executive

1:30-3:30

Lunch & Networking

3:30-4:15

De-Risking Investment: How to Break the Chicken-and-Egg Dilemma in Hydrogen Financing

What will truly unlock private sector investment in hydrogen projects?
How can development banks and commercial lenders reduce capital costs?
Can models like H2 Global or Japan’s hydrogen auction approach work in LAC?
What are viable alternatives if subsidies are insufficient?

Silvana Bianco del Barrio

IDB Invest - São Paulo
Energy and Infrastructure Director
Igor Fonseca

Santander
Head of Project Finance
Sergio Robredo

CAF - Development Bank of Latin America
Director of Financing and Investment for Productive Sectors

4:15-4:30

Financing the Transition: Enabling the Industrial Transformation for Carbon Neutrality

BNDES Presentation

Luciana Costa

BNDES
Managing Director Infraestructure, Energy Transtion and Climate Change

4:30-5:00

Coffee Break & Networking

5:00-5:45

How Can LAC Secure Long-Term Global Hydrogen Buyers?

Which global players (Europe, Japan, Korea) are seriously considering LAC as a supplier?
What certification standards do international buyers require?
How can LAC compete with regions offering lower-cost hydrogen?

Marco Diogo

European Investment Bank (EIB)
Head Representative to Brazil
Dolf Gielen

The World Bank
Hydrogen Lead and Senior Energy Economist
Dr. Vernon Paltoo

National Energy Corporation of Trinidad and Tobago
President
Marc Schieting

KfW
Head of Representative Office, São Paulo

5:45-6:30

Case Studies: First Movers in Hydrogen Project Deployment: Chile, Uruguay and Colombia

Featuring updates from Chile, Uruguay and Colombia
What are the biggest roadblocks encountered in moving from feasibility to execution?
Lessons learned from other energy transitions in Latin America

Marcos Kulka

H2 Chile
Executive Director
Julian Lemos

Ecopetrol
Corporate Vice President of Strategy and New Ventures
Ana Maria Ruz

Chilean Economic Development Agency - CORFO
Green Hydrogen Specialist
Juan Tomasini

Ancap
Head of Hydrogen

6:30-8:00

H2LAC Awards Cocktail Reception

Join us in celebrating excellence in low-carbon hydrogen at the H2LAC Industry Awards! As part of H2LAC 2025, join us as we recognize the pioneers advancing low-carbon hydrogen development across Latin America and the Caribbean. The awards ceremony will spotlight projects, programs, and leaders making a transformative impact on the region’s low-carbon hydrogen.

Have an initiative that deserves the spotlight? Submit your entry and learn more here!

Wednesday

July 16

7:30-9:00

H2LAC Women Network Program

The H2LAC Women Network Program aims to empower women, promote knowledge sharing, gender equality, and foster collaboration among women in the green hydrogen sector across our region. Men are welcome to attend.

Rise and Shine Roundtables: Off the Record, Collaborative, Solution Focused

9:00-10:00

Certification Scheme for Low Emission Hydrogen

Rise and Shine Roundtable

Ricardo Gedra

Chamber of Commerce for Electric Energy, Brazil – CCEE
New Business and Development Manager

Hydrogen Transport: Tubes, Pipelines, and Future Logistics

Rise and Shine Roundtable

9:00-10:00

Better Safe than Sorry in Hydrogen Value Chain

Rise and Shine Roundtable

Water Solutions & Electrolysis: Can Latin America Overcome Water Constraints?

Rise and Shine Roundtable

9:00-10:00

Biomass for H2 Production

Rise and Shine Roundtable

Marcos Simonneti

CNI
Industrial Development Specialist

Carbon Capture & Hydrogen: What’s the Real Opportunity?

Rise and Shine Roundtable

Isabela Morbach

CCS Brasil
Director

10:00-10:05

Welcome Remarks

Day 2 - Industrial Demand-Side Focus Day at H2LAC 2025

Day 2 Co-Hosted by:

Alessandro Rizzato

CNI
Gerente de Transição Ecológica

10:05-10:20

Strengthening Brazilian Transmission Systems to Meet Growing Energy Demand

Presentation

Reinaldo Da Cruz Garcia

Empresa de Pesquisa Energética
Director of Electric Energy Studies

10:20-11:00

Low Emission Hydrogen’s Role in Power Markets: A New Revenue Stream for Utilities & Industry?

When does hydrogen storage become commercially viable for utilities?
Can hybrid PPAs integrate hydrogen production with grid services?
How are large energy consumers incorporating hydrogen into their planning?

Daniel Cámac

H2 Perú
President
Agnes M. da Costa

ANEEL
Director
Cristina Martin

HDF
Vice President, Latin America

11:00-11:30

Coffee Break & Networking

11:30-12:10

Green Fertilizer: A Transformational Opportunity for Latin America

Will green hydrogen help secure food supply chains and reduce import dependency?
What policy incentives are needed for fertilizer manufacturers to transition?
Who in Latin America is leading this shift?

Lucas Araripe

Casa dos Ventos
Executive Director
Daniel Hubner

Yara International
Senior Vice President of Industrial Solutions
Knut Karlsen

Atlas Agro Brazil
Co-Founder / President
Bernardo Silva

Sinprifert
Executive Director
James Spalding

Atome Paraguay
President

Carlos Costa

The World Bank
Senior Energy Economist Moderator

12:10-12:50

Transforming Hard-to-Abate Sectors: Real Case Studies

How are industries like steel, cement, and mining integrating hydrogen?
Which companies have real transition plans, and what’s holding them back?
How can government incentives accelerate industrial transformation?
What do off-takers in key sectors (steel, cement, fertilizers, transport) need?
Who will pay the green premium?

Guilherme Corrêa Abreu

General Manager Sustainability
ArcelorMittal Brasil
Christiaan Gischler

Inter-American Development Bank (IDB)
Lead Energy Specialist

Gabriela Fernandes Vieira

CNI
Industrial Development Specialist Moderator

12:50-1:30

SAF & E-Fuels: Leveraging Hydrogen for High-Value Transport Markets

What role can LAC play in meeting global SAF and e-fuel demand?
How do economics and infrastructure requirements compare to pure hydrogen exports?
Which business models and partnerships are needed to accelerate deployment?
Can early SAF/e-fuel projects help scale hydrogen infrastructure?

Ludmila Nascimento

Green Energy Park
CEO Brazil
Gilberto Peralta

Airbus Brasil
President
Victor Turpaud

HIF Global
LATAM Regional Manager

1:30-3:00

Lunch & Networking

3:00-6:00

IDB Government Roundtable Workshop

A unique, open-door session where Latin American governments collaborate on key regional challenges essential to scaling hydrogen. This edition will feature a dialog with key Japanese stakeholders designed to advance commercial hydrogen collaboration between Japan and the region.

Space is complimentary but limited. If you would like to attend you will be given the option to request invitation as part of registration. Spaces will be allocated on a first come, first serviced basis

Part One – From Innovation to Action: Japan’s Expertise and LAC’s Potential for Ammonia and derivatives
The session will highlight Japan’s advances in combining ammonia with other sources of fossil fuel as source of power production, technological innovation, and strategies to scale up energy solutions. Speakers will share insights on emerging trends, successful case studies, and potential partnerships to accelerate the energy transformation in LAC. This is a unique opportunity to connect innovation with regional potential and explore pathways for joint development of a competitive and sustainable ammonia economy.

Part Two – CertHiLAC (Certification scheme for Hydrogen in Latin America and the Caribbean): A Latin American and Caribbean certification scheme to boost the productivity of innovative fuels in LAC and export to Europe and Asia.
Certification plays a critical role in facilitating commercialization at both regional and global levels by providing credibility, transparency, and supporting premium pricing for low emissions hydrogen products. Through CertHiLAC, LAC strengthens its position in international markets while boosting regional productivity. By enabling local production of hydrogen and its derivatives, CertHiLAC reduces dependence on international supply chains, substitutes imports, and fosters the development of a competitive regional hydrogen industry. Discover how CertHiLAC is driving economic transformation and opening new opportunities for sustainable growth.

Valeria Bernal Malek

National Energy Secretariat, Panama
Projects Coordinator
Nuria Hartmann

Hinicio
Manager of Strategic Consulting Service
Arianna Spinelli

Government of Uruguay
National Director of Energy

3:00-6:00

World Bank Workshop: From Design to Structuring and FID: Unlocking Bankable Hydrogen Projects in Brazil

This practical session will equip developers with the tools, insights, and real-world examples they need to structure hydrogen projects, attract financing, and move toward Final Investment Decision – with a focus on Brazilian market dynamics and international best practices.

Complimentary for all delegates as part of registration.

3:00 – Opening Remarks
3:10 – Keynote Presentation: Achieving FID in Emerging Hydrogen Markets
- Requirements for reaching FID (technical, commercial, financial, regulatory).
- Lessons learned from international FID cases (e.g., Australia, UAE, Chile).
- The critical role of early structuring to mitigate risks.
3:30 – Technical Session 1: Project Structuring Essentials
- Building a Bankable Hydrogen Project:
  - Key Bankability Criteria:
    - Offtake agreements (HPAs, long-term contracts, merchant exposure).
    - EPC and O&M contracts structuring.
    - Energy Transition Clauses.
  - Best Practices:
    - Phased project development and scaling strategies.
    - Integration of renewable energy assets and hydrogen production.
4:30 – Coffee Break & Networking
5:00 – Technical Session 2: Financial Structuring and Risk Management
- Structuring for Financing:
  - Debt vs. Equity considerations in hydrogen projects.
  - Role of concessional finance, blended finance, guarantees (e.g., WB, BNDES, FDN).
  - Common risks and allocation strategies:
    - Technology risk
    - Offtake risk
    - Construction and operational risks
    - Regulatory risk
    - Examples of financial models:
  - Green ammonia export projects
  - Domestic green hydrogen supply (fertilizer, SAF)
5:50 – Closing Remarks and Next Steps