Green hydrogen imports to Austria : A risk-based analysis of two import routes

Abstract

This master’s thesis examines the main risks associated with importing green hydrogen to Austria, focusing on the country's ambition to establish itself as a strategic hub within Europe’s evolving hydrogen economy. It compares two key import routes: the SouthH2 Corridor from North Africa (via Tunisia) and the Eastern Corridor from Eastern Europe (via Ukraine). A central contribution of the thesis lies in its interdisciplinary approach, combining technical feasibility analysis with critical perspectives from social sciences. To assess how supply chain risks along these corridors could affect Austria’s energy security, the thesis models a hypothetical 1 G Welectrolyser—a large-scale hydrogen production facility—located in Gabès, Tunisia, and in Uzhhorod, Ukraine. This modelling example illustrates the scale of infrastructure required and highlights the specific vulnerabilities associated with each location. The PESTEL framework (Political, Economic, Social, Technological, Environmental, and Legal) is used to systematically evaluate and compare risks across both routes. Although Tunisia offers more economically attractive conditions—with levelized hydrogen production costs estimated at around €4 per kilogram, compared to approximately €9.87 per kilogram in Ukraine—economic viability alone does not determine long-term reliability. Tunisia faces considerable political instability, limited renewable energy integration, and acute water scarcity, all of which pose significant challenges to its role as a hydrogen exporter. Ukraine, meanwhile, is affected by the ongoing war, infrastructure damage, and broader geopolitical uncertainty. A quantitative risk assessment was conducted, with Tunisia scoring 64 points and Ukraine 58 points, indicating that Tunisia poses an even higher risk to Austria’s energy security than Ukraine. Addressing these risks calls for a just transition framework that incorporates social, geopolitical, and environmental dimensions. The thesis emphasises that technical and economic feasibility must be complemented by inclusive governance, meaningful community participation, and attention to global power dynamics. Without these elements, green hydrogen initiatives risk reproducing extractive practices—a phenomenon increasingly described as “green colonialism” in critical social science. The thesis argues for an integrated policy approach that brings together engineering, political economy, and social science perspectives. Such an approach is essential to ensure that hydrogen imports not only support Austria’s energy transition but also contribute to a fairer and more sustainable global energy system.