National Hydrogen Association of Slovenia set up to promote more ambitious goals

Stakeholders involved in the development and use of hydrogen technologies have established the National Hydrogen Association of Slovenia, whose aim is to promote more ambitious goals and plans in this field. The newly-founded association has urged Slovenia to adopt a national hydrogen strategy.

The National Hydrogen Association of Slovenia connects companies, research centers, universities, and other key actors carrying out or planning to engage in research and development, production, system integration, and other activities related to hydrogen or hydrogen technologies. It will cooperate with the European Commission and Hydrogen Europe, according to an announcement.

A national hydrogen strategy would help develop a hydrogen economy and facilitate decarbonization

The association also urged the government to adopt a national hydrogen strategy, in order to pave the way for the development of a hydrogen economy and contribute to decarbonization.

Slovenia, along with Croatia, is expected to benefit from major hydrogen corridors that should traverse Southeastern Europe.

On July 19, the new association signed an agreement to join the Three Seas Initiative, becoming a member of its hydrogen council, which aims to promote cooperation and start a dialogue on the role of hydrogen in reducing carbon emissions at national levels and throughout the European Union.

Slovenia’s HSE is lead partner in North Adriatic Hydrogen Valley project

Mihael Cigler, the president of the Hydrogen Association of Slovenia, noted that the country’s progress in the hydrogen sector was too slow, apart from the cross-border North Adriatic Hydrogen Valley (NAHV) project, implemented in cooperation with Croatia and Italy.

NAHV covers the entire green hydrogen value chain

Slovenia’s state-owned energy company Holding Slovenske elektrarne (HSE) is the lead partner in the NAHV project, which is expected to kick off on September 1 this year. The project covers the entire green hydrogen value chain, from production to storage and distribution to its end use in various sectors, mainly industry and land and maritime transportation, according to a press release from HSE.

A key objective is to create a green hydrogen market

Industrial stakeholders from all three countries will develop pilot projects for the production of more than 5,000 tons of hydrogen a year from renewable energy sources, as well as its storage, distribution, and use. One of the key objectives of the project is to create a green hydrogen market, HSE noted in the statement.