Public and private partners have joined forces in Estonia to develop what would be a first nationwide Hydrogen Valley.
On 5 July, the Port of Tallinn – one of the founding partners for “Hydrogen Valley Estonia” – outlined how the widespread energy crisis has increased the sense of urgency for Estonia to strive for energy independence and green its energy system. Ahead of the implementation of European Green Deal legislation, a growing number of organisations and cities have committed to becoming climate neutral, with the first nationwide Hydrogen Valley now under development through close cooperation between three regions, a university and five of Estonia’s largest energy and industry companies.
Over the next six years, the ambition is for Hydrogen Valley Estonia to become a complete and full nationwide hydrogen value chain, accelerating the energy transition and independency of the whole country. Green hydrogen production will be developed in at least six regions of the country, with transport and storage infrastructure developed in parallel. This will include import and export terminal infrastructure, fuelling stations and storage facilities. The resultant hydrogen will be used for fuelling public transport, heavy duty vehicles, rail, shipping, aviation and other transport modalities. It will also be used as feedstock for industry, net balancing and potentially heating cases in the built environment.
A Management Team, Steering Group and Support Group have been formed, with the first two responsible for building the hydrogen strategy, governance and international recognition for Estonia to become part of a European large-scale hydrogen valley along the North Sea, Baltic Corridor. This will be among the likes of the Netherlands, Germany and Denmark, fostering economic opportunities for international collaboration, hydrogen export and EU subsidy schemes. This strategy and governance is expected in September.
Those on the Support Group, meanwhile, are being invited to bring projects into the Valley. There are already around 30 under development, but more are invited to join to take part in the core of the developing hydrogen economy.
