Kuwait Q8 joins hands with Maire Group to build the first refueling station in Rome

Kuwait International Petroleum Company (Q8) announced on June 26, 2023 that it will begin construction of Rome's first hydrogen refueling station in Rome, Italy, in partnership with Maire Group.

Grand unveiling

The announcement was made in the presence of representatives of Kuwait International Petroleum Company Q8 in Italy, Italian government officials and prominent figures from the energy and transport industries.

Sustainable development vision

The project is in line with Kuwait Petroleum Company's (KPC) strategy to provide customers with clean, sustainable petroleum products from renewable raw materials.

Sustainable future

The introduction of hydrogen fuel at the former energy station will enable it to become an integrated hub supporting the refuelling of sustainable and low-emission vehicles. Q8's current services include conventional fuel, liquefied petroleum gas, methane and electric vehicle charging services, and hydrogen refueling services will be added by 2026 as an important complement to Q8's existing services.

Improve efficiency

The program will enable Q8 minibus customers to travel about 100 kilometers on one kilogram of hydrogen fuel, reducing carbon dioxide emissions by more than 75 percent compared to conventional fuels.

Funding and government cooperation

The project, developed in cooperation with the Italian government, is part of Italy's economic recovery plan, which aims to focus on the development of a sustainable transport network by supporting renewable energy and hydrogen energy projects. The initiative will be co-funded by the partners and the EU's Fund for Future Generations.

Shafi Al-Ajmi, CEO of Kuwait International Petroleum Company, said that Italy is considered the most important European market for the company due to the large volume of business: Kuwait International Petroleum Company operates more than 2,800 gas stations in Italy in addition to the Naples warehouse and the Milazo refinery. The company will continue to implement Kuwait Petroleum's strategy to achieve the Energy transition by 2050 and reduce harmful emissions from all of its global operations.

Fadhel Al-Faraj, Q8 Italia's Executive Director of Engineering, noted that Q8 Italia seeks to transform itself from a traditional fuel supplier into a diversified energy company within the framework of its Energy transition strategy. He also stressed the importance of sustainable products in meeting customer needs, maintaining market share and building a sustainable supply network for the cars of the future in Italy.

Kuwait's Ambassador to Italy, Nasser Al-Qahtani, praised the Q8 initiative, saying that Kuwait Petroleum International and its Italian subsidiary have made a significant contribution to the development of a network for the transport, storage and use of renewable products in Italy. The aim is to transform the vast Q8 network station into an integrated hub for low-emission renewable products. He also highlighted the company's role in achieving environmental sustainability goals and promoting the energy transition in Italy and Europe. He appreciated KPC's strategic goal of achieving the energy transition by 2050 and contributing to global efforts to reduce harmful gas emissions.