Project partners meeting in Gothenburg for the Swedish Hydrogen Valley kick-off under the Clean Hydrogen Partnership.

Sweden launches new hydrogen valley project during Kick-off Meeting in Gothenburg

The European hydrogen ecosystem continues to expand its reach. This month marks the official start of the project to establish a strategic Hydrogen Valley in Sweden, the High Coast to West Coast Hydrogen Valley (HiWhyV ), a key initiative aimed at accelerating the clean energy transition in the Nordic region.

The kick-off meeting took place in Gothenburg, where consortium partners gathered to outline the roadmap for the coming months. Funded by the Clean Hydrogen Partnership, this project officially joins the growing family of European Hydrogen Valleys, strengthening the collaborative network promoted by the Hydrogen Territories Platform.

Beyond technical planning, the meeting embraced the local ‘Fika’ culture to foster strong cooperation among partners. The project focuses on integrating hydrogen production and application into the regional industrial fabric. «We are highly motivated to map out this cooperation and start delivering results,» the team stated. The project is now moving from vision to action, marking a milestone for Sweden’s sustainable future.

Now available: HEAVENN webinar replay – Building confidence in underground hydrogen storage (UHS)

On December 17, 2025, the HEAVENN project hosted a high-level webinar titled “Confidence in Underground Hydrogen Storage (UHS) in Zuidwending, The Netherlands.” The session explored how real-world operational experience serves as the foundation for public trust—one of the most critical success factors for the global scale-up of hydrogen.

The webinar replay is now available for all platform members and hydrogen stakeholders.

Why Underground Storage is a Game-Changer

For hydrogen territories to thrive, large-scale and long-duration storage is essential. As highlighted by Eddy Kuperus (Gasunie), underground options like salt caverns provide the necessary volume to balance renewable energy variability and ensure security of supply, moving beyond simple short-term buffering to true system-wide stability.

Key Insights from the Session

The webinar delved into the technical and strategic lessons learned from the Zuidwending pilot project:

  • Safety & Standards: While hydrogen behaves differently than natural gas (lower ignition energy and different material compatibility), the pilot confirmed that it can be stored safely using similar methodologies.

  • The Zuidwending Pilot: Since 2018, Gasunie has tested cavern integrity and operational procedures. The findings reveal no technical «deal-breakers,» proving that large-scale storage is feasible today.

  • Hydrogen Quality: An ongoing debate remains regarding European standards for purity, especially when repurposing existing assets.

  • The «Confidence Quadrant»: Success isn’t just about technology. It requires a balance of four pillars: Technical reliability, Governmental support, Economic viability, and Societal acceptance.

«Technical feasibility is the baseline, but public trust is built through governance, transparency, and clear communication of safety and benefits.» — Eddy Kuperus, Gasunie.

Watch the Replay

Whether you are a project developer, policymaker, or researcher, the lessons shared in this session are highly transferable to hydrogen infrastructure projects worldwide.

Keynote session at III Basque Hydrogen Research Day 2026

III Basque Hydrogen Research Day: R&D Innovation and 2030 Roadmap

The Bilbao Exhibition Centre (BEC) will host the third edition of the Basque Hydrogen Research Day on January 23, 2026. This strategic encounter connects industrial R&D leaders with major research consortia to accelerate the European energy transition.

The Basque hydrogen ecosystem is gearing up for a pivotal technical session focused on bridging the gap between scientific discovery and industrial application. The event, supported by the Basque Government, will feature high-level insights from the Clean Hydrogen Partnership (CHP) and Enagás Renovable.

Strategic European Support and Real-World Deployment

The keynote address by Antonio Aguilo (CHP) will outline the current framework of European support for hydrogen R&D. Following this, the Green Hysland project—a pioneer in Mallorca—will be presented by Enagás Renovable as a successful model for deploying integrated hydrogen ecosystems in Europe.

A key highlight for regional strategy will be the unveiling of the Euskadi 2030 Renewable Fuels Technological Roadmap, presented by the EIC Foundation, setting the path for the next decade of decarbonization.

Elkartek Workshops: Solving Technological Bottlenecks

The core of the technical transfer will take place in three parallel workshops focused on the results of the Elkartek collaborative research program:

  • IRAUNKOR (Electrolysis): Led by TEKNIKER, analyzing stack degradation to improve durability.

  • SINTETIK (Synthetic Fuels): Led by TECNALIA, focused on the production of renewable syngas, methane, methanol, and ammonia.

  • H2MAT+ (Materials): Led by Mondragon Unibertsitatea (MU), investigating the behavior of metallic structures under hydrogen service conditions.

Register now!

Banner for the Second Open Day of NACHIP North Adriatic Clean Hydrogen Investment Platform 2026

Second NACHIP Open Day: Expert guidance for hydrogen SMEs and innovation projects

Following the initial interest in the North Adriatic Clean Hydrogen Investment Platform (NACHIP), we are pleased to announce the Second Open Day for the NACHIP Open Call, scheduled for 15 January 2026 at 14:30 (CET) via Zoom.

This session is specifically designed to support SMEs developing innovative hydrogen solutions under the I3 Instrument framework. NACHIP provides cascade funding to accelerate the testing, validation, and integration of technologies within real operational environments, focusing on key value chains such as mobility, storage, advanced materials, and urban energy systems.

Why attend the Second Open Day? Based on the inquiries received since the launch of the call, this second edition aims to provide:

  • Detailed clarification: Further insights into eligibility requirements and funded activities.

  • Process guidance: A step-by-step look at the application process to ensure submission quality.

  • Expert Q&A: Answers to previously submitted questions and live collection of new inquiries during the session.

Event Details:

  • Date: 15 January 2026

  • Time: 14:30 CET

  • Format: Online (Zoom)

  • Registration: Register here

Potential applicants can submit questions in advance to nachip@meta-group.com. All technical answers will be published in writing on the official website following the meeting.

FAQ: NACHIP Open Call & Second Open Day

1. Who can apply for the NACHIP Open Call? The call is specifically designed for SMEs (Small and Medium-sized Enterprises) that are developing innovative solutions within the hydrogen value chain, particularly those integrated or linked to the North Adriatic ecosystem.

2. What type of projects are eligible for cascade funding? NACHIP supports projects focused on the testing, validation, and integration of hydrogen technologies in real operational environments. This includes mobility, storage, advanced materials, and digital energy optimization.

3. Is the Second Open Day mandatory for applicants? No, but it is highly recommended. This session provides additional clarification on eligibility requirements and funded activities based on the questions received since the launch.

4. How do I register for the online session on January 15? You can register directly through the official NACHIP platform at https://www.nachip.eu/open-calls/open-day/. The event will be held via Zoom at 14:30 CET.

5. Can I submit questions if I cannot attend the live meeting? Yes. You can send your technical inquiries in advance to nachip@meta-group.com. All answers will be published in writing on the website after the session.

IMAGHyNE project partners during the 4th General Assembly meeting at Hôtel de Région Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes in Lyon, France.

IMAGHyNE sets new strategic roadmap at 4th General Assembly in Lyon

The 4th General Assembly of the IMAGHyNE project took place on December 16th at the Hôtel de Région Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes. This key meeting brought together a consortium of 25 international partners to redefine the strategic trajectory of the Hydrogen Valley initiative following the October 2025 mid-term review.

The assembly focused on a core project restructuring, establishing a collective vision to overcome current sector challenges. Key highlights included the commitment to transparency and the alignment of individual actions with the overarching goals of the Clean Hydrogen Partnership. The roadmap now emphasizes the acceleration of hydrogen adoption across regional territories to maintain the momentum of the European energy transition.

The event concluded with an on-site technical visit to Hyliko’s workshops in St Priest, showcasing innovative solutions for hydrogen-powered heavy-duty vehicles. IMAGHyNE continues to lead the way in creating integrated hydrogen ecosystems, ensuring that clean energy remains a cornerstone of the future European energy mix.

Second session of the international cycle on hydrogen valleys: competitiveness models

Following the success of the first session dedicated to lessons learned in the configuration of hydrogen valleys, Hydrogen Territories Platform, in collaboration with the Clean Hydrogen Mission and the Spanish Hydrogen Valleys Alliance, announces the second session of the cycle, focused on competitiveness models.

From lessons learned to global competitiveness

On November 17th, Session 1 – Hydrogen Valleys: Lessons Learned in Their Configuration took place, bringing together leading international experiences such as BIG HIT (Scotland), BH2C, GREENHYSLAND, CylH₂Valley, and H₂ Chile. The session highlighted the importance of strategic planning, technological innovation, and public-private collaboration as fundamental pillars for the development of regional clean hydrogen ecosystems.

Participants gained first-hand insights into how different regions are designing and managing their hydrogen valleys, sharing best practices that can be replicated across Europe, Latin America, and other regions worldwide.

Session 2: building competitive and sustainable valleys

Having established the conceptual and strategic foundations, the cycle now advances toward a critical aspect for the global deployment of hydrogen: competitiveness.

📅 Date: December 1st, 2025
🕐 Time: 15:oo – 16:30
🔗 Registration link

What will be addressed in this session?

Session 2 – Hydrogen Valleys: Competitiveness Models will explore how to build hydrogen valleys that are competitive, sustainable, and capable of attracting investment to reach Final Investment Decisions (FID).

Agenda:

  • Hydrogen Territories Platform: Strategic framework for territorial hydrogen development
  • Hydrogen Valley Facility: Support instruments for hydrogen valley deployment
  • AdvancedH2Valley and other projects under deployment: Real experiences in Spain
  • E-fuels production as a seed for H₂ and CO₂ hubs: Insights from the HyFive project

Why is this session key?

Hydrogen valleys are considered a fundamental building block to accelerate the energy transition at regional and global scales. However, their success depends not only on technical capacity but also on factors such as:

  • Solid and scalable business models
  • Capacity to attract private investment
  • Integration of complete value chains
  • Generation of synergies across sectors (mobility, industry, energy)
  • Economic and environmental sustainability

This session will provide a clear vision of the criteria that determine hydrogen valley competitiveness, the available instruments to drive their maturity, and how these learnings can be applied in diverse international contexts.

A leading international cycle

The sessions dedicated to hydrogen valleys within the International Webinar Cycle of the Clean Hydrogen Mission, organized in collaboration with the Spanish Hydrogen Valleys Alliance, have become a reference space for understanding how different regions are shaping clean hydrogen ecosystems.

Through real cases, practical experiences, and shared learnings, these sessions enable participants from around the world to access actionable knowledge and connect with key players in the hydrogen ecosystem.


👉 Don’t miss this second session. Register here: Registration link

Second session of the international cycle on hydrogen valleys: competitiveness models

Following the success of the first session dedicated to lessons learned in the configuration of hydrogen valleys, Hydrogen Territories Platform, in collaboration with the Clean Hydrogen Mission and the Spanish Hydrogen Valleys Alliance, announces the second session of the cycle, focused on competitiveness models.

From lessons learned to global competitiveness

On November 17th, Session 1 – Hydrogen Valleys: Lessons Learned in Their Configuration took place, bringing together leading international experiences such as BIG HIT (Scotland), BH2C, GREENHYSLAND, CylH₂Valley, and H₂ Chile. The session highlighted the importance of strategic planning, technological innovation, and public-private collaboration as fundamental pillars for the development of regional clean hydrogen ecosystems.

Participants gained first-hand insights into how different regions are designing and managing their hydrogen valleys, sharing best practices that can be replicated across Europe, Latin America, and other regions worldwide.

Session 2: building competitive and sustainable valleys

Having established the conceptual and strategic foundations, the cycle now advances toward a critical aspect for the global deployment of hydrogen: competitiveness.

📅 Date: December 1st, 2025
🕐 Time: 15:oo – 16:30
🔗 Registration link

What will be addressed in this session?

Session 2 – Hydrogen Valleys: Competitiveness Models will explore how to build hydrogen valleys that are competitive, sustainable, and capable of attracting investment to reach Final Investment Decisions (FID).

Agenda:

  • Hydrogen Territories Platform: Strategic framework for territorial hydrogen development
  • Hydrogen Valley Facility: Support instruments for hydrogen valley deployment
  • AdvancedH2Valley and other projects under deployment: Real experiences in Spain
  • E-fuels production as a seed for H₂ and CO₂ hubs: Insights from the HyFive project

Why is this session key?

Hydrogen valleys are considered a fundamental building block to accelerate the energy transition at regional and global scales. However, their success depends not only on technical capacity but also on factors such as:

  • Solid and scalable business models
  • Capacity to attract private investment
  • Integration of complete value chains
  • Generation of synergies across sectors (mobility, industry, energy)
  • Economic and environmental sustainability

This session will provide a clear vision of the criteria that determine hydrogen valley competitiveness, the available instruments to drive their maturity, and how these learnings can be applied in diverse international contexts.

A leading international cycle

The sessions dedicated to hydrogen valleys within the International Webinar Cycle of the Clean Hydrogen Mission, organized in collaboration with the Spanish Hydrogen Valleys Alliance, have become a reference space for understanding how different regions are shaping clean hydrogen ecosystems.

Through real cases, practical experiences, and shared learnings, these sessions enable participants from around the world to access actionable knowledge and connect with key players in the hydrogen ecosystem.


👉 Don’t miss this second session. Register here: Registration link

WEBINAR- Critical lessons in citizen engagement: perspectives from theHoogeveen green hydrogen district

Understanding the human factor: Practical insights on achieving public acceptance for Hydrogen Valleys in residential settings.

Topic Citizen Participation and Communication Strategies in Green Hydrogen Residential Projects.
Featured Speaker Kees Boer, Project Leader of the Hoogeveen Hydrogen District, Municipality of Hoogeveen.
Key Takeaways 1. How to effectively replace mass communication with targeted, one-on-one dialogues.
2. The role of collectively organized Residents’ Councils in project success.
3. The critical interdependence of Citizen Acceptance, Government Funding, and Research.
Context/Project Insights generated through the HEAVENN project, co-funded by the Clean Hydrogen Partnership.
Language English
Duration 60 minutes
Date November 26, 2025
Time 14:00 (CET)

 

Disclaimer

Disclaimer: Project co-funded by the Clean Hydrogen Partnership and the European CommissionThis webinar is part of HEAVENN. HEAVENN is funded by the Fuel Cells and Hydrogen 2 Joint Undertaking (now Clean Hydrogen Partnership) under grant agreement No. 875090. This Joint Undertaking receives support from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme, Hydrogen Europe, and Hydrogen Europe Research. This page reflects the views only of the author, and the Fuel Cells and Hydrogen 2 Joint Undertaking (now Clean Hydrogen Partnership), under the powers delegated by the European Commission, is not responsible for any use that may be made of the information it contains.

Picture_Award-of-15-Hydrogen-Valleys-for-PDA-support

15 Hydrogen valleys selected for PDA in H2V facility’s first successful call

A total of 15 Hydrogen Valleys have been chosen to receive Project Development Assistance (PDA), following a successful first call from the H2V Facility, led by the Clean Hydrogen Partnership. This selection not only highlights the potential of these regional projects but also underscores the crucial role of technical assistance in consolidating the European hydrogen ecosystem.

The PDA is a dedicated tool designed to bridge expertise gaps in the early development phase. The selected Hydrogen Valleys, now backed by expert support in planning and execution, will significantly enhance their attractiveness to investors and financial institutions.

This achievement is a strategic step. By prioritizing assistance for 15 Valleys, the CHP is building a network of robust projects that will serve as reference models for future initiatives across Europe. The H2V Facility thus demonstrates its commitment to standardization and professionalization within the sector.

Key milestones:

  • Secured Funding: Improved bankability of projects.
  • Expert Assistance: Support in legal, technical, and financial aspects.
  • Risk Reduction: Accelerated deployment of hydrogen across the continent.
H2V-Knowledge-Centre

Clean Hydrogen Partnership launches H2V Knowledge Centre to accelerate hydrogen valleys

The European strategy for creating Hydrogen Valleys has received a significant boost with the introduction of the H2V Knowledge Centre by the Clean Hydrogen Partnership (CHP). This online knowledge hub is the missing piece needed to create operational synergy between existing and upcoming projects.

This repository is a sister initiative to the Project Development Assistance (PDA), managed by prestigious consortia such as Roland Berger and Worley. The information contained in the H2V Knowledge Centre—from business models and regulatory frameworks to detailed case studies—is curated to maximize the effectiveness of the technical assistance provided by the PDAs. The goal is clear: to standardize and professionalize the execution of the Valleys.

What Will You Find in the Knowledge Centre?

The H2V Knowledge Centre is structured to be the reference source for project developers, investors, and policymakers, ensuring that decisions are based on validated data and real-world hydrogen industry experience.

To Learn More: