Connecting Hydrogen Europe 2026 took place in Madrid on 17–18 June 2026. The conference and exhibition addressed the practical conditions required to scale hydrogen projects across Europe.
Main topics
The strategic programme examined:
- lessons from early hydrogen demonstration projects;
- the transition from pilot activities to commercial deployment;
- coordination of hydrogen production, infrastructure and offtake;
- cost reduction and competitiveness;
- investment and suitable business models;
- regional hydrogen hubs and cross-border cooperation;
- electrolyser technologies and supply chains;
- harmonisation of standards; and
- hydrogen applications in industry, mobility and the wider energy system.
Practical relevance
A recurring theme was that hydrogen projects needed more than technological readiness. Commercial deployment depended on credible demand, coordinated infrastructure, predictable regulation and long-term agreements between producers and users.
The discussions were relevant to regional authorities because hydrogen production, transport and consumption had to be planned together. This aligned with H2CE’s finding that regional hydrogen strategies should be based on realistic applications and territorial evidence rather than on production potential alone.
Available materials
The organiser’s website provides the 2026 strategic programme, session topics and speaker information, together with interviews, webinars and hydrogen-market resources in its Insights Hub.