Bled, Slovenia (2 September 2025) — In the midst of Europe’s mounting challenges—from fossil fuel dependence and critical raw material shortages to decarbonizing hard-to-abate industries and soaring green-energy costs—a promising initiative has gained momentum at the 20th Bled Strategic Forum, held 1–2 September 2025 under the banner “A Runaway World”

During the Forum, ECUBES, the initiator behind the Oryx Green Adriatic Blue (OGAB) project—a vertically integrated project sourcing green hydrogen from MENA regions to supply up to 10 % of EU hydrogen demand—held a key meeting with EU Commissioner Jozef Síkela and his cabinet team. The group formally requested EU financial support via the Global Gateway instrument, aiming to accelerate the project’s rollout to help tackle Europe’s urgent energy security gaps.

The Global Gateway strategy, championed by Commissioner Síkela earlier this year at forums such as Davos, serves as the EU’s flagship approach to sustainably invest abroad and support strategic infrastructure, connectivity, and development goals. OGAB’s request aligns neatly with the broader EU imperative to green hard‑to‑abate sectors and reinforce strategic autonomy.

OGAB’s proposal couldn’t come at a more critical moment: Europe is seeking to break fossil fuel dependency, make green energy economically viable, and ensure strategic resource autonomy. By offering an Affordable Green Energy on Demand at prices of fossil fuel without subsides, OGAB directly addresses these systemic challenges. The EU’s positive response and the suggestion to tap into multiple support instruments mark a promising step toward a green and resilient energy future.

Meeting outcome—Optimism and strategic synergy
The meeting, organized and backed by the Slovenian Ministry of Economic Affairs, ended on a high note. EU officials signaled a positive outlook, citing OGAB’s potential to draw on multiple EU instruments—not just Global Gateway—thus diversifying support options.

NASCHA is based on the North Adriatic Hydrogen Valley (NAHV) and NACHIP initiatives, aimed at the value chains of transport and mobility, urban and agricultural areas. Similar to NACHIP, NASCHA received €7.9 million in funding from the Interregional Innovation Investments (I3) facility under the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), managed by the European Innovation Council and SMEs Executive Agency (EISMEA).

ECUBES is a be part of NASCHA as a consortium partner, actively involved in three testbeds, bringing forward practical demonstrations of hydrogen technologies and strengthening the regional hydrogen value chain.

The conference opened with welcoming remarks from Samo Turel, Mayor of the Municipality of Nova Gorica, HE Giuseppe Cavagna, Italian Ambassador to Slovenia, and Dr Tomaž Štokelj, President of the Management Board at HSE. Their introductions highlighted the importance of collaboration and regional partnerships in achieving shared clean energy goals.

An opening presentation by Giacomo Ricciotti, Director of ICE Ljubljana, offered insights into trade flows between Italy and Slovenia with a particular focus on the energy sector.

The main programme showcased diverse examples of clean energy projects and community initiatives:

• Dr Jerneja Sedlar (HSE) presented the North Adriatic Hydrogen Valley (NAHV) and its role in building transnational hydrogen value chains.
• Rajko Volk (SENG) introduced the “Soča Energy Charger” and the strategic role of the Avče pumped-storage power plant.
• Michela Vogrig, President of LegaCoop FVG, shared the experience of energy communities in Friuli Venezia Giulia.

Two case studies followed:

• Part-Energy (Mauro Antonio Guarini) on shared renewable energy models;
• SECAB Cooperative (Ennio Pittino) on providing green electricity to remote areas like the Upper But Valley.
• Luca Di Benedetto (APT Gorizia) discussed the link between clean mobility and sustainability in urban settings.
• Aleksander Gerbec, founder of ECUBES, presented modular, on-demand clean energy solutions.

The event concluded with a moderated debate led by J. Giacomelli (META Circularity), offering participants an opportunity to reflect on cross-border synergies and emerging opportunities in the clean energy space.

With diverse perspectives and hands-on experiences, the conference contributed to strengthening cross-border dialogue and accelerating the clean energy transition across the region.

ECUBES became a consortium member of EASTGATEH2V, a newly launched cross-border Hydrogen Valley between Slovakia and Ukraine. ECUBES is also a co-initiator.

Officially kicked off on 10 April 2025 in Košice, this initiative marks a historic milestone — the establishment of Slovakia’s first Hydrogen Valley, setting a precedent for green hydrogen deployment across Central and Eastern Europe.

Coordinated by the Košice Self-Governing Region (KSK), EASTGATEH2V brings together 22 partners from seven European countries and has secured €9 million in funding through the Clean Hydrogen Partnership under the Horizon Europe programme.

EASTGATEH2V aims to create a fully integrated hydrogen value chain, from renewable hydrogen production and storage to its end-use in mobility, industry, and public services. The hydrogen produced will power a range of applications — including regional hydrogen buses, a tourist boat, and drones — while supporting industrial users in and around Košice.

The project also includes feasibility studies to repurpose natural gas infrastructure for hydrogen use and to explore cross-border scaling opportunities with Ukraine.

ECUBES: Driving Hydrogen Innovation in Central and Eastern Europe

Building on its experience from the North Adriatic Hydrogen Valley, ECUBES plays an active role in supporting EASTGATEH2V’s development. The project aligns with ECUBES’ mission to accelerate the deployment of hydrogen technologies through regional collaboration, education, and cross-border cooperation — all crucial for advancing the hydrogen economy in the CEE region.

A basis of ECUBES’ contribution is its safe and cost-effective hydrogen carrier technology, which offers a scalable solution to one of the sector’s biggest challenges: safe storage and transport. This innovation now enables the development of strategic hydrogen infrastructure and energy storage along NATO’s eastern borders and into Ukraine, strengthening resilience where it is most urgently needed.

Toward a Hydrogen-Powered Future

At the project launch, Rastislav Trnka, Chairman of the Košice Self-Governing Region, remarked:

“The Košice Self-Governing Region is definitely on the map of leaders in hydrogen technologies in Central and Eastern Europe.”

Antonio Aguilo, representing the Clean Hydrogen Partnership, highlighted the project’s broader impact:

“EastGateH2V… represents a significant milestone in advancing the strategy for decarbonizing European industry, transport, and energy… laying the foundations for a truly interconnected European hydrogen economy.”

With its integrated approach and strong regional vision, EASTGATEH2V is set to become a blueprint for future Hydrogen Valleys across Europe — promoting innovation, energy resilience, and sustainability.

Read more: Slovakia’s First Hydrogen Valley Launches in Košice 

The fourth edition of the Conference was organised in November 2024 by ECUBES and communication partner META Circularity. At the fourth Conference the HE Investment Platform was launched aiming to support hydrogen-related solutions and technologies arising from the Ecosystem initiatives and attract talent and finance. An investment platform is to stimulate new investments in emerging technology initiatives, projects and start-ups.

The vision of this international meeting is long-term as a focal point for the Hydrogen Ecosystem North Adriatic. It offers a space for inspiration, dialogue and collaboration with the aim to support the development of the Ecosystem and to connect available resources with motivation and talent, all based on a strong foresight of the role of renewable hydrogen for a sustainable future.

A transgenerational dialogue was initiated thanks to the involvement of students and professors from several schools including: UWC Adriatic from Duino, University of Trieste, Department of Civil Engineering and Architecture and University of Ljubljana, IMB Programme of the School of Economics and Business, and TU Delft.

Hydrogen use in Velenje (Slovenia) is a use case led by ECUBES and is organised as a “local hydrogen alliance”, comprising Municipality of Velenje, KSSENA, ETRA, ECUBES and JSI as key participants. It aims to present a comprehensive solution for generating and efficiently utilising renewable energy based on hydrogen in the urban areas value chain. The focus is on transforming a public building in the Municipality of Velenje (Slovenia), into a demonstrative case for sustainable energy solutions composed of a set of hydrogen technologies.

Read more: https://www.nahv.eu/nachip-news/

Collaboration, education, innovation, De-risking large scale hydrogen projects

In collaboration between Davos Innovation Center, ECUBES and Y3D.AI, an exclusive event was held involving representatives from the North Adriatic Hydrogen Valley in Europe, as well as the Middle East and North Africa. The event highlighted the significant role of clean hydrogen in shaping a sustainable world. Acknowledged by the European Union as a crucial component in achieving climate neutrality, clean hydrogen not only plays a pivotal role in sustainable energy but is also a fundamental element in the promotion of global peace. With its exceptional capability for storing and delivering renewable energy, clean hydrogen stands as a cornerstone in reducing carbon footprints and fostering sustainable energy solutions.

The event aimed at fostering a widespread green energy transition through cross-continental collaboration. The announcement of Project ORYX GREEN ADRIAIC BLUE, which focuses on transporting clean hydrogen from MENA to the North Adriatic region, underscored this commitment.

Establishing a Transcontinental Hydrogen Valley necessitates a comprehensive integration of knowledge, policies, and investments. Educators were instrumental in shaping innovative minds within this field, policymakers are pivotal in laying the groundwork for development, and investors play a crucial role in providing the necessary resources to realize this vision.

The inviduals present at round table were:

• Jorgo Kakiratzmakis, CEO at Hydrogen Europe
• Cornelius Matthes, Cornelius Matthes, CEO at MENA Hydrogen Alliance
• Khaled Al Huraimel, CEO at BEEAH Group
• Anna Mareschi Danieli, Group Executive and Board Member of DANIELI & C SPA
• Luigi Crema, Executive Director Hydrogen Europe Research
• Stephen Taylor, Startegic Coordinator of joint working group at North Adriatic Hydrogen Valley
• Rodolfo Taccani, Prorector for Technology Transfer University Trieste
• Aleksander Gerbec, CEO at ECUBES
• Roundtable was moderated by Yip Thy Diep Ta, CEO at J3D.AI.

ECUBES PRESS RELEASE: Dubai, 12 December 2023

“The energy transition is doomed to fail to reach it objectives in time unless we engage with young people and get them to actively participate in transforming the whole ecosystem into a low-carbon economy in which renewable energy and hydrogen will play a key role.”

This was the message Aleksander Gerbec, CEO of Slovenian hydrogen technology and clean energy infrastructure company ECUBES brought to COP28 in Dubai where, together with his team from Slovenia and UAE partners StudiYo Lab (https://www.studiyolab.com) and thanks to the support of the UAE’s Ministry of Education(https://www.moe.gov.ae/en) the International Renewable Energy Agency IRENA (https://www.irena.org), and the Slovene Enterprise Fund (https://www.podjetniskisklad.si/en/ ),he presented the “H2STUDENT by ECUBES” programme, a successful educational initiative that has already played a significant role in the development of the entire value chain of the hydrogen ecosystem in the North Adriatic Hydrogen Valley, as an initial spark of creation in the first transnational hydrogen valley.

H2STUDENT by ECUBES, which was presented by the programme director, Dr. Matjaž Knez, of the University of Maribor, is an open and free educational competition programme that builds the competences of young people regarding hydrogen. It was developed as part of the infrastructure project “Zero emission mobility corridor – North Adriatic”, led by an industry alliance of ECUBES & partners, and implemented by professors from the University of Maribor, Slovenia.

The aim of the H2STUDENT by ECUBES programme is: (1) to arouse interest in sustainable mobility and importance of clean hydrogen in an interesting way through interactive lectures, content and games, (2) to raise technological awareness and inspire young people to choose studies and professions related to new clean hydrogen technologies. (3) to teach students that the entire hydrogen value chain must be built simultaneously, from hydrogen supply to the demand side. It contributes to the achievement of a decarbonized society and promotes INNOVATION, TECHNOLOGY and PARTNERSHIP with immediate ACTION for a clean energy future.

Gerbec explained how the formation of the first transnational hydrogen valley initiative in Europe, the North Adriatic Hydrogen Valley (www.nahv.eu) was successfully facilitated by the early deployment of the educational programme H2STUDENT by ECUBES which has already transformed the future of over 5000 students. The programme fully engages young people with an innovative approach to education in which young people can embrace the potential of hydrogen and become informed evangelists of the hydrogen economy and well-prepared actors in its rapid realisation. He believes extending this approach to all, including developing nations, is fundamental to the energy transition.

Closing the event Gerbec welcomed the important announcements made by COP28, like  President Sultan Al-Jaber’s, regarding accelerating the adoption of climate finance, by committing $30 Billion in catalytic capital to launch a landmark climate-focused investment vehicle, or by UAE leaders’ declaration on a global climate finance framework and others. He suggested education needs to feature in such plans and turned to the audience to ask for their opinion.

The audience in this COP28 session unanimously agreed that global funding for education programmes like the H2STUDENT by ECUBES initiative should be increased to accelerate the decarbonisation agenda. We therefore respectfully call upon all global leaders and governments to heed this call and to urgently increase their investments in educational programmes.

PR ECUBES, Media Contact: info@ecubes.eu

                                                                                                                           

HSE, the lead partner in the NAHV project, on behalf of the entire consortium, including ECUBES, last week signed with the Clean Hydrogen Partnership Joint Undertaking, a contract on the co-funding of the NAHV project, involving EUR 25 million in grants. 

ECUBES press release regarding the NAHV project:

With the North Adriatic Hydrogen Valley (NAHV) project, lead partner Holding Slovenske Elektrarne (HSE), ECUBES and the entire consortium of 38 partners and affiliates, drawn mostly from Slovenia, Croatia and the Autonomous Region of Friuli Venezia Giulia in Italy are proud to position their macro-region firmly ON THE HYDROGEN FUTURE MAP!

Ljubljana, 24 July 2023 – HSE, the lead partner in the NAHV project, on behalf of the entire consortium, including ECUBES, last week signed with the Clean Hydrogen Partnership Joint Undertaking, a contract on the co-funding of the NAHV project, involving EUR 25 million in grants. This act served as the official green light for the implementation of this transnational European project as part of the Horizon Europe programme, which is aimed at establishing a dedicated hydrogen valley. The project will be implemented as of 1 September 2023, will last 72 months and will feature seventeen pilot projects across all three partner territories.

ECUBESas project partner will lead Work Package 6 “Cross Cutting and Cross Border Transport – Zero Emission Mobility Corridor North Adriatic” which aims to demonstrate the feasibility of building a renewable energy harvesting and hydrogen energy storage capability and to facilitate a cross-border transportation, which will lower CO2 emissions and contribute to energy sustainability in the EU. This study aims to path the way for a pilot project for a fleet of 1100 Hydrogen cars/vans, 150 hydrogen trucks, 150 hydrogen buses and 20 hydrogen passenger catamarans plus a fleet of 10 hydrogen airplanes. The Work Package will also seek to demonstrate that a strong deployment of flexibile solutions is required to provide the power system with the ability to adapt to the dynamics of the residual load, on all timescales: from frequency response to inter-year flexibility.

The partnership features a total of 38 organisations (27 partners and 11 affiliated entities): companies, universities, institutes and other public institutions the majority from the three territories: Slovenia, Croatia and the autonomous region of Friuli Venezia Giulia in Italy. The concept of the project encompasses the entire chain of the use of renewable hydrogen, from its production, storage and distribution to its end use in various sectors, mainly industry and land and maritime transport. The project received the highest evaluation of all Hydrogen projects presented for the call and was hailed by the European Commission as a Flagship Initiative

Industrial stakeholders from all three countries will develop pilot projects to produce more than 5,000 tonnes of renewable hydrogen per year from renewable energy sources and its storage, distribution and use. One of the most important objectives of the project is to create a renewable hydrogen market, both in terms of demand and supply, which would make it a competitive energy product of the future. By introducing advanced technologies for the utilisation of hydrogen and by developing know-how and infrastructure, the project also pursues other key objectives of the European Green Deal. In particular, it concerns the decarbonisation of major industrial sectors, such as steel and cement production, as well as sustainable transport solutions to reduce the carbon footprint. In this way, the NAHV project begins to create a comprehensive ecosystem for the transition to the use of renewable hydrogen, which includes production and service activities to meet the needs of households and citizens, thus creating the jobs of the future by planning the required skills and competencies.

Ringing endorsements of the North Adriatic Hydrogen Valley have come from all three territories involved:

 “In Croatia we have adopted the use of hydrogen in our plan for our energy future. Hydrogen will help overcome the energy issues in our sectors. We will be supporting with finances and legislations. Croatia is here to support and find solutions.” Ivo Milatic, State Secretary at the Ministry for Economy and Sustainable Development of Croatia.

“Our commitment is very tangible, … we have already guaranteed to finance such projects. I emphasise our commitment as the region to all the governments here to pursue this NAHV initiative until it will become a major hydrogen hub.” Sergio Emidio Bini, Regional Minister for Productive Activities and Tourism, FVG, Italy.

“Our joint EU targets of decarbonisation by mid century and reducing emissions by at least 55% by 2030 are extremely ambitious. One major priority is the move to renewable energy sources. Slovenia will help with efforts. I also hope that all new initiatives added to this NAHV project will be instrumental in achieving a carbon-neutral future.” Bojan Kumer, Minister of the Environment, Climate and Energy of Slovenia

Aleksander Gerbec, Director of Ecubes called the signing of the Grant Agreement:

“an historic moment and the culmination of years of preparatory works and collaboration between the three territories. This project shows that in Solvenia, Croatia and Friuli Venezia Giulia when we work together, we have the capability to make a real difference to the decarbonisation of every aspect of our daily lives and to make a positive change that can be an example for all of Europe. We are also aiming to inspire the next generation through educational programmes like H2STUDENT…Watch this space!

Stephen Taylor, North Adriatic Hydrogen Valley Joint Working Group Strategic Coordinator commented:

“This step formalises the continued evolution of a significant trans-national collaboration, built on trust, that will now transform into action and bring tangible benefits to the macro-region and beyond”

The project is supported by the Clean Hydrogen Partnership and its members

                   

Co-organised by: Chamber of Commerce of Slovenia (GZS), Northern Primorska Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Nova Gorica), Croatian Chamber of Commerce, Confindustria Udine and Confindustria Alto Adriatico

               

3rd International Conference Hydrogen Ecosystem North Adriatic 2023

Thanks to the participants!

Trust, not just the essential ingredient in any relationship but an essential pre-requisite for a successful collaboration was the main theme of the 3rd International Conference Hydrogen Ecosystem North Adriatic, which took place on May 23, 2023 in Villa Vipolže, Slovenia. Building it, maintaining it and acting on it!

Trust was demonstrated by the leaders of the three political institutions when they signed a letter of intent, paving the way to the development if the North Adriatic Hydrogen Valley, the first transnational initiative of its kind.

Trust was the cornerstone of the Joint Working Group, appointed by the political institutions to develop the initiative, as it built the consensus, broadened to include all stakeholders in the quadruple helix (Government, Research, Industry and Society) and laid the foundations for a lasting collaboration with a truly transnational governance.

Trust was the glue that held together the partnership, led by Holding Slovenske Elektrarne (HSE), as the partners worked together to prepare the winning project which the Clean Hydrogen Partnership rewarded not just with a positive evaluation and a grant of €25M but the status of Flagship Project.

“Innovations, Technologies and Partnership in Action for a Clean Energy Future”, sums up the content of the conference, which brought together industry leaders, universities and research institutes plus government representatives and stakeholders from the communities they serve to review progress to date and lay out the roadmap for the future evolution of the North Adriatic Hydrogen Ecosystem.

In this industry-led initiative it was significant that the scene was set by the representatives of industry institutions in the three territories who laid out their vision of a future low-carbon economy characterised by visionary companies developing ground-breaking technologies to transform the daily lives of their customers bringing well-being and satisfaction for all while at the same time providing new job opportunities and a massive boost to the economic development of the territories. They indicated industries willingness to invest in this bright future and called upon the political establishment to support them.

This political commitment was not long in arriving as the next to take the stage were the representatives of the political establishment, who once again re-confirmed their commitment to developing the North Adriatic Hydrogen Valley into a fully functioning  ecosystem and an exemplar of the hydrogen economy. They not only reaffirmed their commitment to the principles outlined in the previous letter of intent but also indicated their increased determination to together lead the macro-region to become an exemplar of the hydrogen economy for the rest of Europe and the world. They revealed some of the financial support already being provided and committed themselves to continuing to listen to industry and to working together to meet the challenges of the energy transition and turn necessity into opportunity.

We heard about the transnational cooperation and cross-regional dimension of the North Adriatic Hydrogen Valley and how its nascent cases can draw on best practices from across Europe to become one of the regional hydrogen ecosystems that drive Repower EU.

We heard about the successful launch of H2STUDENT, the incredible education programme that has already brough 5000 young people into the hydrogen community and will soon be embarking on a tour of the Middle East and North Africa culminating in the United Arab Emirates as part of COP28.

We heard about Research, Innovation and Investments and how a nexus of innovation pathways led by visionaries is defining the ecosystem.

We took a deep dive into some of the ground-breaking research taking place and got up close and personal with some of the sectors which the Hydrogen economy is already transforming, including Clean Transport, Hard to abate sectors like steel and cement and some of the future clean technology applications as well as the evolution of the logistics and transmission of hydrogen.

Closing the conference Stephen Taylor, the North Adriatic Hydrogen Valley Joint Working Group’s Strategic Coordinator joined Bart Biebuyck, Former Executive Director, Clean Hydrogen Partnership Joint Undertaking, EU Commission, and Aleksander Gerbec, Director of Ecubes who reminded the audience that this all started as a dream which grew into a discussion and became a movement that is now unstoppable, all because of trust.

Now we must build on that trust and move forward with immediate action, and industry in the region is already poised to begin the largescale investments that the energy transition will require.

Together we will now make that dream a reality!

Thanks to Sponsors: