Fokker Next Gen forges significant ties with Latvia
Juriaan Kellermann, CEO of Fokker Next Gen and Viktors Valainis, Minister of Economics for Latvia sign the memorandum of understanding
Last week Fokker Next Gen forged significant ties with Latvia, signing a memorandum of understanding with the Ministry of Economics, a memorandum of understanding with the Liepaja Special Economic Zone (SEZ), and a cooperation agreement with Riga Technical University (RTU).
The project is in its early stages and plans to create up to 100 new jobs in Latvia over the next three years, working in close cooperation with Riga Technical University and Kurzeme coastal municipalities.
This venture has a strong emphasis on research, with work starting on the development of the Hydrogen Centre of Excellence in 2024, which will contribute not only to the project itself, but also to the development of the industry as a whole.
The use of hydrogen aircraft for passenger transport could serve as a promising solution for meeting the European Union's emission reduction targets in the near future.
Memorandum of Understanding with the Ministry of Economics
With the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding with the Ministry of Economics, Fokker Next Gen plans to develop a hydrogen aircraft project in Latvia with the intent of making a significant contribution to the development of a green energy cluster on the Kurzeme coast.
“The implementation of the project will undoubtedly significantly contribute to the development of the national economy and serve as an important step towards strengthening the modern brand of our country worldwide. The large investment, the most advanced innovative technologies, full compliance with the climate neutrality target, the close cooperation with Latvian universities - all these elements would make the construction and maintenance of hydrogen aircraft a success story for Latvia, giving a boost to the creation of a favorable environment for innovation in general. Therefore, I am committed to maintaining close contact with the project promoters and will do my utmost to ensure that there are no unjustified obstacles to the project’s progress on the part of the State.”
Memorandum of Understanding with the Liepaja Special Economic Zone (SEZ)
The Memorandum of Understanding between Fokker Next Gen and the Liepaja Special Economic Zone (SEZ) lays the groundwork for a feasibility study in order to build a final assembly line in the territory of the Liepaja Special Economic Zone, in the immediate vicinity of the Liepaja International Airport, where Fokker Next Gen would carry out assembly and testing of the new generation hydrogen-powered aircraft. This MoU indicates the stages of the project, which also includes establishment of an Engineering Center of Excellence Hydrogen Aircraft Operations in Latvia, focused on aircraft ground handling, airport infrastructure and hydrogen infrastructure.
Fokker Next Gen CEO Juriaan Kellermann commented: "The well-equipped Liepaja International Airport, which offers large areas suitable for the construction of our assembly line, is an excellent potential location for our production facility. Its direct sea connection to the Netherlands and the expected proximity to the hydrogen production facilities in the future are significant advantages. Moreover, the business-friendly climate in the region could also be very beneficial to our operations. We are excited about the opportunity to cooperate with the Liepaja Special Economic Zone (LSEZ) and other stakeholders to develop a stable aviation ecosystem in Latvia. The goal of this initiative is to support the eventual creation of a future Final Assembly Line in Liepaja, which will run parallel to the line in the Netherlands, significantly increasing our ability to produce innovative hydrogen-powered aircrafts."
Uldis Hmielevskis, CEO of the Liepaja Special Economic Zone (LSEZ) shakes hands with Juriaan Kellermann, CEO of Fokker Next Gen after signing the memorandum of understanding
Cooperation agreement with Riga Technical University (RTU)
In addition to formalizing ties with the Ministry of Economics and the Special Economic Zone, Fokker Next Gen has also signed a cooperation agreement with Riga Technical University (RTU) to improve the education, research, and innovation environment, thus establishing the preconditions for the implementation of the ambitious project, as well as the development of emission-free aviation. In order to build a hydrogen aircraft operations engineering center of excellence in Latvia, it is essential to build on existing scientific and educational capacity, for example by conducting high-level research, developing highly educated human capital, attracting funding from the EU funds and other external sources, and commercializing the results, bringing innovative technologies to the market.
“I am looking forward to extend the ecosystem and build on the international cooperation between knowledge institutions with regards to applying hydrogen technology in the aviation industry,” says Juriaan Kellermann, Fokker Next Gen CEO
“Hydrogen research is one of the areas where RTU is achieving scientific excellence with high added value for the future economy. RTU scientists have received international recognition for their research in this field, a particular highlight being the method developed by scientists from the RTU Faculty of Materials Science and Applied Chemistry in collaboration with colleagues from the University of Latvia, Faculty of Chemistry and Institute of Solid State Physics, for safe and efficient hydrogen production using innovative amphoterically decoupled electrolysis.”
Juriaan Kellermann, CEO of Fokker Next Gen, and Tālis Juhna, RTU Rector sign the cooperation agreement