Estonia is developing the first nationwide Hydrogen Valley in collaboration with three regions, one university, and five major energy and industry companies. The initiative aims to create a complete hydrogen value chain within six years, accelerating the country's energy transition and independence. The project has received support from various public and private partners, including the Port of Tallinn, Tallinn Airport, and Eesti Energia. The hydrogen produced will be used for various sectors, including transportation, industry, and heating. The development process is led by the Estonian Hydrogen Association and Dutch consultants, with the strategy and governance set to be delivered in September 2022.
In times of widespread energy crisis, the urgency for energy independence and need to green the energy system is felt across Estonia. Anticipating the implementation of European Green Deal legislation, many organisations and cities have committed to become climate neutral to future proof their business. Therefore, the first nationwide Hydrogen Valley ever is now being developed in close cooperation between three regions, one university and five of the largest companies in energy and industry in Estonia. In short, in the coming six years Hydrogen Valley Estonia aims to become/form a complete and full nationwide hydrogen value chain that will accelerate the energy transition and independency of the whole country under the motto ‘from zero to green.’
“Tallinn Airport is already making great strides towards carbon-neutral airport status with the support of solar parks, but as green hydrogen is also seen as a climate-neutral solution, and the transport and aviation sectors see great potential in this, we want to contribute to the development of the hydrogen pipeline. If the different parties, and most importantly the manufacturers as well as the refuelling providers, come together and join forces, a holistic approach can be established and the airport wants to be part of this process, as it is also in line with our long-term strategic goals for sustainability,” explained Riivo Tuvike, Chairman of the Board of Tallinn Airport.
A coalition of public and private partners has formed the Management Team, Steering Group, and a Support Group for Hydrogen Valley Estonia. Founding partners include Port of Tallinn, Tallinn Airport, Alexela, Eesti Energia, Terminal, Tartu University, Municipality of Tartu, Municipality of Pärnu, and the Island of Saarema. These nine partners are included into Management Team and Steering Group and 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 (amongst others the Netherlands, Germany, and Denmark). This will foster economic opportunities for international collaboration, hydrogen export, and EU subsidy schemes.
The Support Group is consisting of the following organizations: XFly; Skeleton Technologies; Stargate Hydrogen; Aviation Academy, Tallinn University of Technology; TS Laevad; Liwathon; Elmo Rent, HHLA TK; Estiko; Keila Municipality; Põlva Rural Municipality; SKYCORP, Tartu County and Lääne-Harju Rural Municipality. The members of the Support Group are invited to bring projects into the Valley scope to further complete the hydrogen value chain in Estonia. Additional partners are welcome to discuss becoming part of Hydrogen Valley Estonia to take part in the core of the developing hydrogen economy.
In the coming six years, green hydrogen production will be developed in at least six regions in the country. Parallel to that, transport and storage infrastructure is developed, including import and export terminal infrastructure, fuelling stations and storage facilities. The hydrogen produced in Estonia will be used for hydrogen fuelling public transport, heavy duty vehicles, rail, shipping, aviation, and other transport modalities. Furthermore, it will be used as feedstock for industry, net balancing and even heating cases in the built environment. Finally, a range of innovation-, research- and development projects are included. At this moment the scope of Hydrogen Valley Estonia includes around 30 projects under development, but more parties and projects are welcome to join.
“Hydrogen Valley Estonia aims to be the central node in the systematic development of the hydrogen economy in Estonia. Without that, Estonia has no perspective on becoming green and energy independent. The coming six years we will focus on kickstarting, and accelerating projects based on onshore hydrogen production, to be ready as an economy for the large-scale uptake of hydrogen based on offshore solutions from 2030 onwards.” Petrus Postma – Secretary of the Steering Group.
The Estonian Hydrogen Valley development process is led by a consortium of the Estonian Hydrogen Association, and Dutch consultants &flux and New Energy Coalition (world’s first Hydrogen Valley HEAVENN). The strategy and governance of the Hydrogen Valley Estonia will be delivered in September 2022, that includes the submission of the European subsidy application to become part of a Large-Scale Hydrogen Valley along the North Sea and Baltic corridor.