Discussion on Hydrogen Infrastructure Development in Latvia at Riga Airport

On October 15, Riga Airport hosted a discussion on hydrogen infrastructure solutions and recommendations for improving the regulatory framework in Latvia. The event took place within the framework of the BSR HyAirport project. A study commissioned by Riga Airport and the Latvian Hydrogen Association, conducted by the law firm Eversheds Sutherland Bitāns, Latvia found that clear legal requirements and guidelines are currently lacking, hindering progress in the production, storage, transportation and use of green hydrogen in aviation.

“Riga Airport is ready to serve as a sandbox or testing ground for innovation and research projects to help pave the way toward the economically viable use of hydrogen-powered ground handling equipment. It is crucial that we, together with the hydrogen industry and policymakers, find the right balance between improving existing regulation and avoiding overregulation,”
said Normunds Feierbergs, Member of the Board of Riga Airport.

Representatives from authorities, ministries and other institutions identified key challenges such as the absence of hydrogen-specific safety and certification standards, underdeveloped environmental impact assessment requirements and the need to update legislation to address hydrogen storage risks. The discussion also underlined the need to clarify land-use planning rules and the procedures for obtaining building permits when hydrogen production facilities are planned near airports.

At the European Union level, participants called for the development of EU-wide hydrogen safety standards, mandatory hydrogen safety training at airports and the expansion of the European Hydrogen Backbone to include major airports. They also stressed the importance of prioritising hydrogen integration in European airport development plans, incorporating green hydrogen production into EU Green Deal funding programmes, and increasing EU financial support for hydrogen storage pilot projects at airports to create best-practice examples for broader application.

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