With a value of €3.9m ($4.13m), the contact gives Metacon scope to supply a containerised electrolyser system, compression, storage, 350 bar dispensing, tool kits, and cooling equipment.

It is hoped the site in Slovakia will help meet demand for green hydrogen as a fuel for transport vehicles. In July (2022) bus manufacturer Solaris announced it has signed a contract for the purchase of four hydrogen fuel cell buses with a Bratislava-based public transport operator.

Read more: Bratislava set to receive Solaris hydrogen buses

“We are very pleased that we together with Hydroholding can contribute to demonstrate successful sales efforts in Slovakia, a very interesting growth market for hydrogen,” said Christer Wikner, President and CEO of Metacon. “The need to be able to produce domestic fossil-free fuel for Europe’s future vehicle traffic is inexhaustible and we are just at the beginning of a long-term expansive market.”

In recent months, Metacon has announced two projects in eastern Europe. Last December (2022) the company said it would supply an integrated green hydrogen production and refuelling system to a Romanian company under a €16.7m agreement.

Read more: Metacon to supply integrated hydrogen system to Romania under €16.1m agreement

January (2023) saw Metacon sign an agreement with the Regional Directorate of State Forests (RDSF) in Katowice, Poland, for a 5MW green hydrogen project.

Read more: Metacon signs MoU with RDSF for green hydrogen project in Poland

Commenting on the Slovakian plans, Marek Roth, Board Member of Hydroholding, added, “This integrated system of green hydrogen production, storage and dispensing via the hydrogen refuelling station will showcase the real potential of the technology and will be the first one of this kind in our region.

“We believe it is going to become the cornerstone for further development of the hydrogen related market and will also positively increase the public awareness regarding this alternative source of energy, as an energy carrier of the future.”