ZURICH: Azerbaijan’s state oil company, SOCAR, has unveiled plans to deploy 100 high-speed battery charging devices in Switzerland by 2026, as detailed in its 2023 sustainability report. The initiative is part of a broader effort to expand its infrastructure for electric vehicles and sustainable energy in the region.

According to Trend News Agency, SOCAR currently operates 20 fast charging installations, primarily located on highways and in major areas around Zurich. These efforts are supplemented by a new project to build a green hydrogen production facility. The endeavor involves a consortium that includes Alpiq, EW Hofe, and SOCAR Energy Switzerland, which plans to construct an electrolysis plant in the municipality of Freienbach. The facility will have a capacity of up to 10 megawatts.

The electrolysis plant, scheduled to begin construction in 2025, is expected to produce between 1,000 and 1,200 tons of green hydrogen annually upon full expansion. The green hydrogen will be transported via pipeline to S
OCAR refueling stations along the Fuchsberg highway, enhancing the company’s sustainable energy capabilities.

SOCAR Energy Switzerland has already launched its first hydrogen refueling station at Grauholz Sud, near Bern, serving approximately 150 trucks per month. This marks a significant step in the company’s expansion of its electric vehicle charging business. By the end of 2023, SOCAR aims to increase the number of refueling stations in Switzerland to 206, further solidifying its commitment to sustainable energy solutions.