One of the largest partner groups in Slovenia, established for cooperation with Japan and of interest to the whole world. Many countries and organisations are interested in the Slovenian-Japanese project.
All major energy and utility companies, three municipalities and two professional associations have signed a consortium agreement to create a hydrogen ecosystem from low-carbon sources. This is an important step before selecting Japanese partners and applying for support from the Japanese development agency NEDO. With its help, the internationally successful NEDO project in Slovenia, in which the electricity grid was balanced by electricity storage, was completed in 2022.
Slovenia proves once again that its small size makes it an ideal partner for development and innovation projects, according to Igor Papič, Minister of Higher Education, Science and Innovation. India is also interested in the project, and Italy and the European Hydrogen Association have pledged their support. Papič therefore notes that the consortium agreement is the start of a project of global significance.
Aleksander Mervar, CEO of ELES, sees hydrogen primarily as a way of bridging the periods when solar and wind power plants are not working - a dilemma that has not yet been solved. Mervar believes that in addition to the North Adriatic Hydrogen Valley, in which Slovenian, Italian and Croatian partners are involved, there is room for another hydrogen project in Slovenia. Mervar believes that the low-carbon hydrogen ecosystem will be a model for the EU and other countries.
Japanese companies are the largest Asian investor in Slovenia, and Slovenia is a member of the UN Security Council together with Japan. Foreign Minister Tanja Fajon believes that such projects deepen trust between the two countries.
The energy industry is changing faster than ever, and hydrogen will have its place in the future. It will play a special role in the decarbonization of the economy and transport. Slovenia has become much less bureaucratic and more innovative in the field of renewable energy, emphasised the Minister of Environment, Climate and Energy, Bojan Kumer
"If anything, Europe now needs a strong industry. This requires a reliable and competitive energy supply," said Matjaž Han, Minister of Economy, Tourism and Sport.
Mr. Papič sees hydrogen as a seasonal energy source for renewable electricity. On the other hand, both solar and nuclear power plants will produce electricity peaks at certain times, which can be used to
produce hydrogen, followed by ammonia and methane. Industry will be able to use hydrogen directly as an energy source. It will also be used in mobility.
