Local Slovenian companies join forces to launch a hydrogen project
The SloH2U hydrogen consortium, a collaborative initiative formed by over 50 local companies and spearheaded by Plinovodi, Slovenia's gas transmission system operator, is set to revolutionise the country's energy sector. The consortium, officially signed in Planica in 2025, is focused on promoting hydrogen as an alternative energy carrier and fostering cooperation between state institutions and industry stakeholders to build a sustainable hydrogen ecosystem.
The SloH2U consortium has ambitious goals. It aims to develop and promote hydrogen infrastructure in Slovenia, support hydrogen utilization in both industrial and energy sectors, and foster a cooperative environment for a decarbonized future. Key stakeholders in this endeavour include the Slovenian state representatives, industry participants such as HRASTNIK1860, and Plinovodi itself, which plays a crucial role in energy market reliability and infrastructure development.
This consortium represents a strategic step in Slovenia’s energy transition, aligning with European trends toward green energy and hydrogen adoption. The SloH2U consortium is part of a broader effort to connect Slovenia to the Central European hydrogen space, aiming for a coordinated, technically feasible, and timely transition to a decarbonized future.
Matija Bitenc, a member of the executive board and deputy general manager at Plinovodi, stated that the consortium is a foundation for the development of user infrastructure, specific pilot projects, and integration into the European hydrogen ecosystem. In fact, the consortium has already attracted the support of more than two-thirds of local industrial gas consumers based on gas usage.
The SloH2U consortium, initiated by Plinovodi, is connecting key stakeholders from industry, energy, and the state. Its formation indicates Slovenia's serious preparation to achieve European decarbonization goals, positioning the country as a key player in the burgeoning hydrogen economy.
[1] European Commission, "Hydrogen: Europe's new clean fuel," 2020, https://ec.europa.eu/info/strategy/priorities-2019-2024/european-green-deal/actions/hydrogen-europes-new-clean-fuel_en [2] European Commission, "Clean Hydrogen Alliance," 2020, https://ec.europa.eu/info/strategy/priorities-2019-2024/european-green-deal/actions/clean-hydrogen-alliance_en
The SloH2U consortium plans to collaborate with industry partners to develop hydrogen infrastructure and promote hydrogen utilization in both the industrial and energy sectors, aiming for a coordinated transition towards a decarbonized future within Slovenia. This initiative is supported by key stakeholders such as state representatives, Plinovodi, and industrial gas consumers like HRASTNIK1860, and aligns with European trends towards green energy and hydrogen adoption.
