North Adriatic Hydrogen Valley project targets first hydrogen production by 2026

The aim of the North Adriatic Hydrogen Valley project is to produce the first quantities of hydrogen by the end of 2026. It is a joint effort by Croatia, Italy, and Slovenia.

Hydrogen produced within the North Adriatic Hydrogen Valley (NAHV) project should replace fossil fuels, primarily in industry and transport, local media reported.

Seventeen subprojects are being implemented in Croatia, Slovenia, and the Italian province of Friuli Venezia Giulia. Many are quite advanced, said Jerneja Sedlar, project coordinator and director of the Research and Investment Sector at Slovenian state-owned power utility Holding Slovenske Elektrarne (HSE). The first kilograms of green hydrogen, in her words, are expected in 2026.

NAHV started a year ago with a plan to last six years. Total production of hydrogen should reach 5,000 tons at the end, Sedlar added at the meeting of 37 project partners held at the Faculty of Civil Engineering of the University of Rijeka in Croatia.

The project’s goal is to create a comprehensive ecosystem of hydrogen technologies

In addition to production, the project should establish the entire ecosystem of hydrogen technologies – in transport and energy. The participants aim to establish the first international hydrogen valley in the European Union.

Croatia’s island Cres has become a new partner in the project. Mayor Marin Gregorović said the local authority intends to install hydrogen filling stations and storage and use hydrogen-fueled ships to better connect with the mainland.

The project is led by Slovenia’s HSE, which plans to start hydrogen production by 2027. In Croatia, a total of 32 green hydrogen projects are underway, of which six within NAHV.

Europe aims for 50 hydrogen valleys by 2030

The North Adriatic Hydrogen Valley was established within the European Union’s Horizon Europe initiative. The EU has awarded grants from the Clean Hydrogen Partnership to 13 hydrogen valleys, with NAHV receiving EUR 25 million.

The EU wants to have 50 hydrogen valleys under construction or in operation by 2030. They are envisaged as local industrial or transport clusters for production and supply at the local level, according to the plan.