Delivering the keynote speech at the end of third day of EU Hydrogen Week, she said, “Currently we have 23 valleys in 10 member states, with two functioning and 14 well advanced.”

A hydrogen valley is a geographical location where several applications are combined into an integrated system covering the value chain, in which hydrogen serves industry, mobility and energy.

At a later stage, the valleys could be connected through hydrogen corridors, she added, as Europe develops its hydrogen economy.

“We believe that hydrogen valleys can contribute considerably to the objective of the hydrogen accelerator in RePowerEU, increase domestic hydrogen production to 10m tonnes by 2030, and accelerate the dissemination of hydrogen replacing natural gas in many sectors of activity,” she added.

More than 100,000 trained workers and technicians will be required by 2030. “Reskilling and upskilling will be critical,” said Rouch.

“Synergies with member states will see a boost through the actions, and recently launched co-funded partnership of Clean Energy Transition – we are also working with them in defining a joint strategic research agenda on green hydrogen.”

To see the list of hydrogen valleys prepared by the Clean Hydrogen Partnership, click here.