Europe’s clean hydrogen transition has entered a new phase, shifting from planning to deployment at scale. At the centre of this shift are Hydrogen Valleys — regional ecosystems where hydrogen is produced, stored, distributed and used across multiple sectors. These ecosystems embody the continent’s green transition, anchoring the hydrogen economy in cities, industrial clusters and transport networks.

Developed under the Clean Hydrogen Partnership and its predecessor initiatives, Hydrogen Valleys integrate the entire hydrogen value chain within a defined geography, connecting renewable hydrogen production with industrial and mobility applications. They represent Europe’s ability to combine research excellence, regional cohesion and industrial innovation into practical decarbonisation.

The REPowerEU Plan has elevated Hydrogen Valleys as a cornerstone of Europe’s hydrogen strategy, allocating €200 million to double their number by 2025. The initiative highlights how decarbonisation can drive competitiveness, job creation and energy security simultaneously.

Europe leads the world

Europe now leads the world in Hydrogen Valley development, with around 60 projects in operation or under development, representing €150 billion in investment. More than 20 of these valleys have received support from the Clean Hydrogen Partnership, collectively mobilising over €1.3 billion.

From Groningen to Galicia and Crete to the North Sea ports, regional hydrogen ecosystems are taking shape, demonstrating local production, storage, and end-use integration. Large-scale valleys such as NAHV (northern Italy, Slovenia and Croatia) and BalticSeaH2 (southern Finland and Estonia) aim to produce over 4,000 tonnes of hydrogen per year. Smaller-scale initiatives like Green Hysland in Mallorca and H2tALENT in Portugal illustrate hydrogen’s adaptability to island and dispersed contexts, enabling applications from industry to mobility.

Hydrogen Valleys also play a critical role in building public trust and visibility. Citizens experience hydrogen technology in everyday life through vehicles and infrastructure, while industry benefits from expanding cross-sector collaboration and investors gain confidence from tangible projects.

Source:

https://www.innovationnewsnetwork.com/hydrogen-valleys-where-europes-green-transition-becomes-real/63548/