The H2CE – Empowering H₂-ready Regions in Central Europe project, co-funded by Interreg CENTRAL EUROPE, is taking major strides in shaping a sustainable, hydrogen-based energy future across the heart of Europe. Bringing together partners from Austria, Germany, Italy, Poland, Czech Republic, and Slovakia, the project aims to empower public authorities and regional administrations to integrate hydrogen into their local and regional energy planning.
Building Regional Hydrogen Capacities
In 2025, the H2CE partnership entered a decisive implementation phase. Regional pilot tools have been launched in Italy and Austria, designed to help authorities model hydrogen infrastructure and evaluate the potential of hydrogen as a key element of their decarbonisation strategies. These pilots form part of the project’s broader vision to create H₂-ready regions capable of managing hydrogen production, storage, transport, and application in an integrated way.
Milestones and Key Events
Several transnational meetings have marked the project’s progress:
June 2025 – Gdańsk, Poland: Partners convened to finalise the structure of the upcoming H₂ Platform, a comprehensive digital environment containing guidelines, best practices, regional action plans, and energy-modelling tools. The platform will serve as a practical decision-support tool for regional planners and energy experts across Central Europe.
September 2025 – Graz, Austria: Hosted by the Energy Agency Styria, the 6th partner meeting combined expert workshops with a study visit to the Renewable Gasfield in Gabersdorf, where participants explored real-life hydrogen production and distribution models. Discussions also focused on the development of regional hydrogen competence centres, which will strengthen the knowledge base and foster cross-border cooperation.
Earlier meetings in Germany and the Czech Republic laid the groundwork for transnational coordination, policy alignment, and technical integration across the participating regions.
Driving Knowledge and Cooperation
Since its launch, H2CE has positioned itself as a bridge between regional policy and hydrogen innovation. The project’s open collaboration model connects municipalities, research institutions, energy agencies, and industrial actors, ensuring that all relevant stakeholders contribute to the hydrogen transition.
Public authorities play a central role in this process — H2CE supports them with the tools and expertise needed to make informed strategic decisions, aligning with both EU Green Deal targets and national hydrogen strategies.
Outlook
As H2CE moves toward its final year (project end: March 2026), partners are focusing on rolling out the H₂ Platform, disseminating regional strategies, and preparing a transnational roadmap to guide future hydrogen investments in Central Europe.
The project’s work resonates far beyond the energy sector — it strengthens regional resilience, fosters innovation, and helps Central Europe take an active role in Europe’s clean-energy transformation.