Strengthening hydrogen valleys: Clean Hydrogen Partnership expands regional cooperation

The Clean Hydrogen Partnership is intensifying efforts to support the development of clean hydrogen economies across Europe, building on nearly a decade of collaboration with regional stakeholders. Following a call for expressions of interest last year, 10 new regions have joined the initiative, signaling a strong commitment to advancing the hydrogen transition.

At the recent forum, six new memoranda of cooperation were signed with regions including Castilla y León (Spain), North-Holland (The Netherlands), Košice Region (Slovakia), Wielkopolska (Poland), the Médio Tejo Intermunicipal Community (Portugal), and Slovenia’s National Managing Authority. These agreements, tailored to regional needs, aim to foster capacity building, knowledge sharing, and industrial synergies to strengthen the hydrogen valley network.

Valerie Bouillon-Delporte, a representative of the Clean Hydrogen Partnership, highlighted the ambition to double the number of hydrogen valleys by 2025 as part of the REPowerEU Plan. "Sixteen valleys are already funded, with six more to be added this year," she noted, emphasizing their role as strategic pillars for innovation and energy transition.

Looking ahead, the Clean Hydrogen Knowledge Hub will serve as a critical resource, offering automated data analysis and reporting to facilitate informed decision-making and collaboration among industry and regional partners.

Regions aspiring to develop hydrogen valleys are encouraged to connect with the Mission Innovation Hydrogen Valley Platform, which offers insights into cutting-edge technologies, funding opportunities, and success factors from hydrogen initiatives worldwide. This enhanced collaboration underscores the transformative potential of hydrogen valleys in driving Europe’s clean energy future.