Romania is moving forward with its energy transition and is betting on green hydrogen as one of the main vectors to achieve the decarbonization of its economy, due to the abundance of solar photovoltaic and wind energy resources.

Ioan Iordache, Executive Director of the Romanian Hydrogen Energy Association, points out that the green hydrogen produced in Romania is consumed at the production site, and emphasizes that the sector should focus on the development of hydrogen valleys.

“Creating a coupling between the current production and consumption locations with other economic and industrial sectors is the main challenge. This is the most opportune time to develop projects such as green hydrogen valleys,” he states.

It is worth remembering that the European Union seeks to promote such facilities and aims to have at least 50 hydrogen valleys under construction or in operation by 2030.

Currently, Romania has pilot projects for green hydrogen in progress, which, according to Iordache, are funded by the National Recovery and Resilience Plan.

These include four facilities funded by the National Recovery and Resilience Plan, Component C6/M ENERGIE, Investment Measure I.2:

• Expansion of green hydrogen production capacity through the construction of a hydrogen facility of 6 kNm³/h via water electrolysis (Company: OMV Petrom)
• HYDRO FUTURE (Company: INFRA EXPERT)
• H-Orizon Production Plant (Company: SUDAREC ROMSERV)
• Construction of a green hydrogen production facility through water electrolysis (Company: OMV Petrom)

Additionally, another project funded by the European Union is being developed: HYPERION. This involves hydrogen capture in European regions and is being carried out by the Southeast Regional Development Agency.

On the other hand, a private project called “20HyGrid” by Delgaz Grid is underway. This is the first pilot project in Romania, aimed at analyzing the compatibility and behavior of existing natural gas distribution networks and related installations, specifically the devices selected for the pilot project, with a mixture of natural gas and 20% hydrogen by volume, and evaluating the possibility of converting it into a natural gas-hydrogen mixture.

“The opportunities will come depending on the results from the pilot projects. It is too early to discuss this. In fact, there will be wishes and ambitions, but the realities will be dictated by the results of some initial projects, and Romanian authorities must focus on this, to finance as many pilot projects as possible, regardless of the (momentary) success rate,” states the executive.

“Romania must first analyze how much hydrogen will be ‘green’ and how much will be ‘carbon-free.’ Romania has a tradition and history in the hydrogen industry, which must now assimilate these new types of hydrogen. Then, let’s see how other sectors that can use hydrogen connect. Thus, H2V will follow this path: initially, it will be used in current industrial sites (dominated by the chemical industry) and will gradually penetrate new sectors such as mobility, residential, or energy,” he adds.

What are the country’s goals for green hydrogen by 2030?

The goals proposed in the National Hydrogen Strategy and Action Plan for Romania have not yet been officially adopted by any authority, as the documents are still under public debate.

• 2027: 17.2 kt of green H2 and 3.3 kt of clean H2 for industrial consumption (2030: 34.4 kt of green H2 and 6.6 kt of clean H2 for industrial consumption)
• 2027: 2.4 kt of green H2 in new industrial applications (2030: 24 kt of green H2 in new industrial applications)
• 2027: 217 hydrogen-powered buses (2030: 300 hydrogen-powered buses)
• 2027: 3,700 heavy and medium-duty vehicles (2030: 21,500 heavy and medium-duty vehicles)
• 2027: 300 cars (2030: 2,000 cars)
• 2027: 8 refueling stations (2030: 39 refueling stations)
• 2030: 2% hydrogen blend in total gas consumption
• 2030: Commissioning of 1,600 MW combined-cycle turbines prepared for 50% green hydrogen
• 2027: 136.6 kt of green hydrogen (1,934 MW electrolyzer capacity) for hard-to-decarbonize industries (2030: 282 kt of green hydrogen through 3,985 MW electrolyzer capacity)
• 2028: 7,970 MW of renewable energy production capacities dedicated to green hydrogen production.