Why hydrogen?
The European Union and the world face an urgent need to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and dependence on fossil fuel imports. In 2018, as much as 75% of greenhouse gas emissions in the EU were related to energy, while the EU imported 58% of all energy, mainly oil and gas. In response to these challenges, the European Commission adopted a hydrogen strategy for a climate-neutral Europe in 2020, which aims to make clean hydrogen the foundation of a climate-neutral energy system by 2050.
At the global level, UNIDO established the Global Programme for Green Hydrogen in industry in 2021, which provides support to countries in transition and developing countries in decarbonizing industry and developing clean hydrogen technologies. By joining this partnership, Slovenia is actively positioning itself in the global energy transformation.
Purpose and added value
The purpose of the project is to connect Slovenian companies, institutions, and experts with the global market and enable them to cooperate with leading players in the hydrogen industry. The project promotes the development of concrete solutions for challenges in the hydrogen industry, strengthens the innovation potential of the Slovenian economy, and opens opportunities for new investments and joint international projects.
Key activities and content
The project includes activities aimed at strengthening knowledge, networking, and project development:
- inclusion of the Slovenian development partnership among SMEs in the global UNIDO partnership and its international positioning,
- identification of key global needs and priorities in the field of hydrogen industry,
- exchange of good practices, participation in expert groups, and participation in global events,
- development of technical guidelines, studies, and knowledge products,
- preparation of manuals on the development of hydrogen associations and hydrogen corridors, including the experiences of the North Adriatic Hydrogen Valley,
- strengthening the capacities of institutions and the private sector and defining the competences and profiles of workers in the clean hydrogen value chain,
- designing a framework for the development of joint international (demonstration) projects.
Partners
The partnership brings together numerous Slovenian companies and institutions, including partners of the North Adriatic Hydrogen Valley (e.g. ReCatalyst, Ecubes, Holding Slovenske elektrarne, TECES, Technology Park Ljubljana, Kemijski inštitut, GZS and others). At the global level, members of the UNIDO global partnership from developed countries (Austria, Italy, Germany, United Arab Emirates) and developing countries (e.g. Costa Rica, Morocco, Egypt, Namibia, South Africa, Philippines) participate, and the International Center for Hydrogen Energy in China is also an important player.
Project goal
The aim of the project is to enable the breakthrough of Slovenian companies into the global green hydrogen industry, increase their international competitiveness and involve them in the development of future energy solutions. The project contributes to the long-term decarbonisation of industry, the development of new technologies and the positioning of Slovenia among the leading players in the field of clean energy.
