Why this is important to Wisconsin businesses: Slovakia wants to become a hydrogen transit hub between Ukraine and Western Europe, and Wisconsin companies involved in hydrogen technology could be an asset.
EUSTREAM, the company responsible for transmission of natural gas throughout the Slovak Republic, plans a series of investments to reduce country’s carbon output and at the same time, to facilitate the supply of clean hydrogen to markets across Europe.
The Slovak gas transmission network connects with Ukraine, the Czech Republic, Austria, Hungary, and Poland.
The main goal of the H2 Infrastructure – Transmission Repurpose plan is to convert one of EUSTREAM’s main lines to be able to transport clean hydrogen.
“This is a project that is absolutely essential to enable the hydrogen economy in Central and Eastern Europe,” said Rastislav Ňukovič, general director of EUSTREAM, in a CEENERGYNEWS article. “It is also the largest of its kind in Central and Eastern Europe.”
Slovakia plans to reduce greenhouse gases by 55% by 2030. Its National Hydrogen Strategy counts on green hydrogen, produced using methods with near-zero carbon emissions, as a key element in the effort to reach its goal.
Funds allocated from the government, the European Union, and private contributors will be used to encourage Slovakians to drive 9,000 hydrogen vehicles and 300 hydrogen buses on the country’s roads by 2030, according to the U.S. International Trade Administration.
Wisconsin companies with expertise in hydrogen production and storage or in advanced manufacturing and energy technologies may find opportunities in Slovakia.
