Many regions across Europe are developing hydrogen related strategies, but at the same time local industries and stakeholders have not found the conditions to make hydrogen a sustainable business for their production processes and infrastructure. Most of these regions are highly dependent on fossil fuels and their industrial sector is one of the main economic drivers and contributors to greenhouse gas emissions (GHG). Significant investments have already been made in the renewable hydrogen sectors, offering an integrated solution to meet the goals of a greener and more sustainable Europe. The challenge now lies in bolstering hydrogen demand for and use of hydrogen in different sectors to improve the deployment mechanisms, encourage wider uptake of hydrogen and overcome industrial sector boundaries.
PRHyUS aims to advance regional policy frameworks in Europe to support hydrogen demand, investment and use across different sectors and to facilitate the widespread deployment adoption of renewable hydrogen technologies. The project will contribute to the EU's goals of a “Greener Europe'' by facilitating greater knowledge of hydrogen technologies and seeking to contribute to a significant reduction in GHG emissions. In order to advance regional policy frameworks in Europe the PRHyUS consortium brings together policy and technical partners and drawing on their different experiences and areas of competence (public authorities, education and research institutions, clusters, NGOs), they will jointly improve 7 policy instruments to accelerate industrial decarbonisation and enhance renewable energy use through hydrogen.
PROJECT ACTIVITIES:
- Socio-territorial analysis of partner regions, including data on emissions, industrial structure, and potential for hydrogen technology development, based on a jointly developed methodology.
- Identification and selection of good practices related to hydrogen implementation in different sectors (industry, transport, heating), which can be transferred and adapted across regions through project activities.
- Organization of interregional policy workshops and study visits, aimed at experience exchange, joint learning, and formulation of policy recommendations.
- Development of cost-benefit analyses (CBA) for the implementation of hydrogen technologies in different regional contexts, covering economic, environmental, and social aspects.
- Preparation of guidelines and implementation strategies for hydrogen, supporting the development of local and regional policies and future investment activities.
EXPECTED PROJECT RESULTS:
- Improvement of seven regional policy instruments, such as energy strategies, climate action plans, and planning documents, by incorporating hydrogen-based solutions.
- Increased knowledge and capacity of participating institutions in the field of hydrogen technologies and their application, through learning, analysis, and co-development activities.
- Compilation and dissemination of at least 46 good practices, which will serve as a knowledge base for regions aiming to advance their hydrogen economies.
- Establishment of permanent Regional Stakeholder Groups (RSGs) to support the implementation of hydrogen strategies and foster cooperation between public authorities, businesses, and research institutions.
- Enhanced regional readiness for hydrogen deployment, supported by comprehensive analyses, recommendations, and operational planning to enable a successful transition toward climate neutrality.
PROJECT PARTNERS:
- Campania Region (IT) – Coordinator
- City of Gradiška (BA)
- Free University of Brussels (BE)
- Development Agency Region Heide (DE)
- Tenerrdis (FR)
- Eni Enrico Mattei Foundation (IT)
- Association of Municipalities Polish Network “Energie Cités” (PL)
- Regional Development Agency Centru (RO)
- Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Serbia (RS)
PROJECT DURATION: 1 May 2025 – 30 April 2029
PROJECT WEBSITE: https://www.interregeurope.eu/prhyus
FUNDING: Interreg Europe
The project is co-funded by the EU Interreg Europe program. The sole responsibility for the content of this website lies with the PRHyUS project and does not necessarily reflect the opinion of the European Union.
