The annual meeting of the partners of the North Adriatic Hydrogen Valley (NAHV), the first transnational hydrogen valley in the European Union, is taking place in Velenje today and tomorrow. Representatives of 39 partners from Slovenia, Croatia and the Italian Autonomous Region of Friuli Venezia Giulia are reviewing the project’s progress, presenting the development of individual pilot projects and discussing the next steps towards establishing a cross-border renewable hydrogen market.
The meeting opened with a public conference dedicated to the development of the hydrogen economy in the North Adriatic region and across Europe. Participants were welcomed by Dr Tomaž Žagar, State Secretary at the Ministry of Infrastructure and Energy, who highlighted the important role hydrogen will play in the future energy system. “In the decarbonisation of the economy, direct electrification should always be the first option wherever it is technically and economically feasible. However, there are sectors where electricity cannot efficiently replace fossil fuels. This is precisely where hydrogen has an important role to play in the development of a future low-carbon energy system,” stressed Dr Žagar. He added that Slovenia is preparing a dedicated Hydrogen Action Plan, which will define key priorities, measures and projects up to 2030 while also providing a longer-term perspective towards 2040.
Particular emphasis was given to international cooperation: “No country can develop a hydrogen economy in isolation. Future hydrogen markets will be built on connections between countries, infrastructure, knowledge and industry. This is why the North Adriatic Hydrogen Valley is one of the most important development projects in this field.”
The NAHV project was presented by Miha Pečovnik, Executive Director for Development and Investments at HSE. He noted: “Three years ago, we were talking about the potential of hydrogen. Today, we are talking about concrete projects, investments and partnerships. The North Adriatic Hydrogen Valley demonstrates that countries, companies and research institutions can work together to create the conditions for the first cross-border renewable hydrogen market in Europe.”
The central part of the conference featured a panel discussion entitled “From Hydrogen Valleys to Hydrogen Markets: Connecting Ecosystems, Experience and Opportunities”, bringing together representatives from Slovenia, Croatia and Friuli Venezia Giulia. The discussion focused on hydrogen market development, the infrastructure required, future demand for renewable hydrogen, and the role of governments in creating a supportive regulatory and investment framework. Participants highlighted common challenges across countries, including the need for effective financial mechanisms, streamlined administrative procedures and a stable regulatory environment that would support investment in hydrogen technologies.
Davor Rašić, Secretary of the Slovenian Ministry of Infrastructure and Energy, stressed the importance of creating the conditions necessary for a functioning hydrogen market: “The Ministry’s role is to facilitate the development of a functioning hydrogen market. We cannot create demand or make hydrogen economically competitive through regulation alone. What we can do is help connect producers with potential consumers, provide a predictable regulatory environment, address administrative barriers and support the development of the necessary infrastructure. In other words, our role is to reduce the friction between those who want to produce hydrogen and those who are prepared to use it.”
The panellists agreed that the successful development of the hydrogen economy requires coordinated progress in production, infrastructure and demand, together with close cooperation between governments, industry and research institutions. They also emphasised the importance of cross-border collaboration, noting that the long-term competitiveness of the European hydrogen market will depend on the effective integration of national hydrogen ecosystems.
The North Adriatic Hydrogen Valley is one of Europe’s key projects for the deployment of renewable hydrogen. Led by HSE, Slovenia’s largest electricity producer and trader, the initiative brings together 39 organisations from Slovenia, Croatia and Italy and covers the entire hydrogen value chain, from production and storage to distribution and end use.
During the remainder of the consortium meeting, partners will review progress across individual pilot projects, education and skills development activities, and other initiatives designed to support the long-term growth of the North Adriatic hydrogen ecosystem.
