The Hungarian Hydrogen Technology Association agreed with the professional representatives of the V4 countries, their associations, and domestic and international companies on regional economic cooperation aimed at the joint production of the equipment necessary for the production of hydrogen. The parties agreed to launch joint projects, participate in joint tenders and encourage regional cooperation in the area with their own resources. 15 companies, 5 research institutes, 7 associations and 4 ministries from the V4 countries were represented at the event organized on regional economic cooperation aimed at the joint production of equipment for the production of hydrogen.
At the professional consultation held as a side event of the HYDROGEN OPEN 2024 international conference, the Hungarian Hydrogen Technology Association undertook to set up an industrial and technological database in cooperation with the V4 partner organizations, as well as to create a cooperation-generating virtual platform that helps companies in the region find the suitable partner, as well as to insert their own manufacturing capabilities into existing initiatives.
A new market, a new industry is emerging, the most important building blocks of which can currently only be obtained from Western Europe or overseas. The initiative launched by the Hungarian Hydrogen Technology Association aims to change this by bringing together the companies and research workshops of the V4 member countries who have the appropriate ability and intention to participate in the future with the help of the hydrogen associations and relevant ministries of the V4 member countries. in building its industry.
Electrolyzers and their components are not only indispensable for the availability of a sufficient amount of hydrogen in the „green” transition to clean energy, but they will also represent significant market potential in the future. A key question is, when hydrogen trucks and hydrogen-powered railway trains and ships will be operating in Europe, which companies will manufacture the electrolyzing equipment that – using the water splitting method – will provide the appropriate amount of hydrogen.
The Hungarian Hydrogen Technology Association advocates joint action in several areas. Significant EU funds have appeared to help the rise of hydrogen technology, but the distribution of these subsidies cannot be called equal. The results of the IPCEI-Hydrogen support schemes created by the European Union are depressing. Out of a total of 10.6 billion euros in support, Western European multinational companies typically won, a total of 64. The number of Hungarian winning companies eligible for IPCEI-based support was 0, but the number of V4 winning companies was also only 3, which is 5% of the winners.
In December 2023, at the last V4 hydrogen technology consultation in Prague, the Hungarian Hydrogen Technology Association initiated the launch of a new hydrogen technology tender (wave) and the cooperation of the V4 countries in this direction. In connection with this, there was a request from the countries present to create an event coordinating the production of electrolyzers and their components. The Hydrogen Open 2024 international conference organized by the Association provided an excellent venue for this.
At the event, the Hungarian Hydrogen Technology Association suggested that the Hungarian EU presidency highlight among its goals the stimulation of V4 and regional cooperation in the development of the hydrogen economy, the first step of which is the creation of V4 electrolyzer and component manufacturing capacity.
