The highly anticipated launch of the North Adriatic Hydrogen Valley (NAHV) has officially commenced. As the first transnational initiative of its kind under the Horizon Europe programme, supported by the Clean Hydrogen Partnership, the project was inaugurated in Portorož-Portorose, Slovenia. More than 100 delegates, representing 37 project partners from Slovenia, Croatia, and the Friuli Venezia Giulia Autonomous Region in Italy, gathered for the kick-off meeting.
The NAHV, which started on 1st September 2023, will run for six years and includes 17 pilot projects across the three participating countries. With a total investment of €700 million, the project has secured €25 million in funding from the Clean Hydrogen Partnership. Led by HSE, Slovenia’s largest electricity producer and a leader in renewable energy, the partnership comprises 37 organizations, including companies, universities, research institutes, and public entities. Together, they will establish a comprehensive renewable hydrogen value chain—spanning production, storage, distribution, and end-use—aimed at decarbonizing key industries and the transport sector.
One of the primary objectives of the NAHV is to develop a regional hydrogen market by fostering supply and demand, making renewable hydrogen a competitive energy source. Key industry players will spearhead pilot projects to generate up to 5,000 tonnes of renewable hydrogen annually from renewable energy sources. Approximately 20% of the hydrogen produced will be exchanged between Slovenia, Croatia, and Italy, forming a transnational market and strengthening energy cooperation in the region.
The project places a strong emphasis on decarbonization efforts in energy-intensive industries, such as steel, cement, and glass manufacturing, while also promoting sustainable land and maritime transport solutions. The NAHV is aligned with the objectives of the European Green Deal, positioning hydrogen as a crucial component of the region’s green transition.
Strategic investments will play a crucial role in advancing hydrogen infrastructure. Of the total €700 million budget, €300 million will be allocated to projects in Slovenia, another €300 million to Croatia, and €100 million to the Italian region of Friuli Venezia Giulia. Notably, the Šalek Valley in northern Slovenia has been identified as a key site for hydrogen production. Plans include the construction of a floating solar power plant with a 150-megawatt capacity on Dužmirje Lake near the Šoštanj Thermal Power Plant (TEŠ), which will supply electricity for hydrogen production in Šoštanj. Hydrogen production is expected to commence in 2027, ahead of the scheduled closure of TEŠ Unit 6, thereby supporting the region’s economic restructuring.
Additionally, the investment cycle includes solar, wind, and pumped-storage hydro power projects, reflecting HSE’s broader commitment to the green transition. Hydrogen is anticipated to play a pivotal role in replacing natural gas, with projections indicating that up to 30% of Slovenia’s gas pipeline content will be hydrogen by 2030. The technology is also seen as a viable solution for storing surplus renewable electricity generated in summer for use during winter months.
Although the financing plan for the NAHV is still being finalized, additional funding is expected from both EU and national subsidies, along with private investments. A safeguard mechanism within the agreement ensures that, if necessary, investments can be scaled down while still maintaining project viability. Experts predict that by 2030–2035, hydrogen technology will be sufficiently advanced to be profitable without subsidies.
The Clean Hydrogen Partnership has already allocated €200 million to six hydrogen valley projects across Europe, with the NAHV recognized as one of the largest and most impactful due to its cross-border scope. According to Antonio Aguilo Rullan, a representative of the Clean Hydrogen Partnership, only two hydrogen valleys in Europe are currently operational—in Mallorca, Spain, and in the Netherlands—while around 60 more are in various stages of development.
Beyond technological innovation, the NAHV is set to drive job creation and skill development. Universities and research institutions within the partnership will play a critical role in designing and implementing new educational programs to meet the demand for hydrogen-related expertise. The initiative’s long-term vision is to establish a dynamic social and economic ecosystem centered around renewable hydrogen, positioning the North Adriatic region as a frontrunner in Europe’s hydrogen economy.
Read more: https://www.nahv.eu/