We are pleased to announce that ECUBES is a co-initiator and consortium member of EASTGATEH2V, a newly launched cross-border Hydrogen Valley between Slovakia and Ukraine. Officially kicked off on 10 April 2025 in Košice, this initiative marks a historic milestone — the establishment of Slovakia’s first Hydrogen Valley, setting a precedent for green hydrogen deployment across Central and Eastern Europe.
Coordinated by the Košice Self-Governing Region (KSK), EASTGATEH2V brings together 22 partners from seven European countries and has secured €9 million in funding through the Clean Hydrogen Partnership under the Horizon Europe programme.
Advancing a Green Hydrogen Ecosystem
EASTGATEH2V aims to create a fully integrated hydrogen value chain, from renewable hydrogen production and storage to its end-use in mobility, industry, and public services. The hydrogen produced will power a range of applications — including regional hydrogen buses, a tourist boat, and drones — while supporting industrial users in and around Košice.
The project also includes feasibility studies to repurpose natural gas infrastructure for hydrogen use and to explore cross-border scaling opportunities with Ukraine.
Implementation will follow a two-phase plan:
Phase 1 (by mid-2027): Deployment of a 2 MW electrolyser producing 170 tonnes of green hydrogen annually
Phase 2: Addition of a second 2 MW electrolyser, raising total production to over 500 tonnes per year
ECUBES: Driving Hydrogen Innovation in Central and Eastern Europe
Building on its experience from the North Adriatic Hydrogen Valley, ECUBES plays an active role in supporting EASTGATEH2V’s development. The project aligns with ECUBES’ mission to accelerate the deployment of hydrogen technologies through regional collaboration, education, and cross-border cooperation — all crucial for advancing the hydrogen economy in the CEE region.
Toward a Hydrogen-Powered Future
At the project launch, Rastislav Trnka, Chairman of the Košice Self-Governing Region, remarked:
“The Košice Self-Governing Region is definitely on the map of leaders in hydrogen technologies in Central and Eastern Europe.”
Antonio Aguilo, representing the Clean Hydrogen Partnership, highlighted the project’s broader impact:
“EastGateH2V… represents a significant milestone in advancing the strategy for decarbonizing European industry, transport, and energy… laying the foundations for a truly interconnected European hydrogen economy.”
With its integrated approach and strong regional vision, EASTGATEH2V is set to become a blueprint for future Hydrogen Valleys across Europe — promoting innovation, energy resilience, and sustainability.
👉 Read more: Slovakia’s First Hydrogen Valley Launches in Košice – PEDAL Consulting
👉 Also covered here: Košice: The EASTGATEH2V Hydrogen Valley Project Funded by the EU Has Officially Started – FuelCellsWorks