H2IT – Italian Hydrogen Association: with the hydrogen districts the supply chain is ready to move to the next phase
50% of the funds are allocated to projects in the South and on the Islands for a total of 225 million euros
Campania (6), Puglia (5), Lombardy, Trentino-Alto Adige and Sicily (4) are the regions with the most funded projects
Hydrogen Valley protagonists of KEY – The Energy Transition Expo, in a conference of H2IT and ENEA, in which the Ministry of the Environment and Energy Security (MASE) also participated

Milan – Unleashing the potential of the hydrogen supply chain is fundamental for the country's energy independence and also involves the creation of the so-called Hydrogen Valleys, real hubs for the production of green hydrogen. To date, 52 projects have already been financed throughout the national territory (to be completed by 31 December 2026), of which 28 in the South, where 50% of the over €500 million investment envisaged by the PNRR will be allocated. The objective is to support the production and use of green hydrogen in industry and transport, but also to redevelop abandoned industrial areas, thus boosting local economies. This was discussed today in the conference organized by H2IT - Italian Hydrogen Association and ENEA on the occasion of KEY - The Energy Transition Expo, the European reference fair for renewable energy, which saw the participation of the Ministry of the Environment and Safety Energy (MASE), of the Emilia-Romagna Region of the Puglia Region and of important players in the sector. The PNRR investment for the Hydrogen Valley The PNRR foresees a total investment for the development of the hydrogen supply chain of €3.64 billion. Of these, the Government has allocated €500 million for the creation of 52 Hydrogen Valleys. In particular, 50 million are reserved for so-called flag projects, interventions considered of strategic importance for the regions, while the remaining 450 million, aimed at the production of hydrogen in disused industrial areas, are divided between the projects of the Regions and Autonomous Provinces. Furthermore, the RePower EU chapter, as part of the PNRR review, has allocated an additional €90 million for “hydrogen valleys”. These funds are intended to increase the budget available for projects that, despite having been approved, have not received funding due to a lack of resources. A total investment of almost 600 million euros, which is beginning to satisfy national strategic needs. The distribution of the Hydrogen Valleys on the territory At a geographical level, as mentioned, Southern Italy is the area most affected, with 28 of the 52 projects, for a total investment of 225 million euros (50%). In the North, 17 projects will come to life for €162.5 million (36%) and in the Center 7, for a total of 62.5 million (14%). Looking at the individual regions, the largest investments are concentrated in three regions of the South: Campania (6 funded projects), Puglia (5) and Sicily (4), which have admitted funding of €40 million each. Next, two northern regions stand out: Lombardy (4 projects financed for a total of €33.5 million) and Trentino-Alto Adige (4 projects; €28 million). Hydrogen Valley: what they are and why they are important The Hydrogen Valleys that Italy intends to build are part of the national strategy for ecological transition and sustainable development and aim to create integrated ecosystems that connect the production, transport and use of hydrogen in various sectors as varied as mobility and the industry. The objective is to accelerate the development of the hydrogen supply chain, taking advantage of both national and European funds to create cutting-edge infrastructure and technologies, but also the recovery of abandoned industrial areas and the promotion of research and development in the energy sector. The projects will help reduce CO2 emissions and, in general, promote the use of renewable energy, with a strong impact on employment. The hubs under construction will create new jobs, many highly skilled, and stimulate the local economy. With the Hydrogen Valley initiative, Italy wants to position itself as a leader in the production and use of green hydrogen, in line with the EU's decarbonisation objectives. The position of H2IT – Italian Hydrogen Association The hubs are part of a broader national strategy for the development of the hydrogen supply chain, currently being worked on by the Ministry of the Environment and Energy Security and strongly promoted by H2IT, which last year organized the first Italian Hydrogen Summit precisely to raise awareness among the institutions of the need for a long-term plan. The Association - which represents over 150 large, medium and small companies, research centers and universities active in the sector - highlights the fundamental role that Hydrogen Valleys can play in starting a hydrogen market: the financing of of renewable hydrogen production will implement the use of different technologies, stimulating demand and the development of a complete hydrogen supply chain. They will then be fundamental to decarbonise carbon intensive sectors and contribute to the country's energy independence. Furthermore, the high number of approved project proposals (over 100, of which many were not financed due to lack of funds) demonstrates the ability of the supply chain to respond to national needs with projects with high technological and innovative content. Alberto Dossi President of H2IT opened the conference “The European and Italian political direction is clear: for decarbonisation we need to focus on alternative energy carriers such as hydrogen – commented Alberto Dossi, President of H2IT. We are happy that the Government and local authorities have believed in the Hydrogen Valley projects, necessary for a strong hydrogen supply chain, capable of competing with other international players, and that they are working on two fronts: the national hydrogen strategy and tariff incentives to reduce the cost gap. All these tools reassure our companies that they are on the right path and that they will be able to continue investing, knowing they have strong institutional support behind them. The hydrogen districts represent a great added value for the territories that will host them, allowing them to start counting on a clean, renewable and highly technological source. This last aspect is crucial for us: technology and innovation rhyme with new jobs. Focusing on hydrogen therefore means promoting quality employment which can make Italy a leader in green skills and in the energy transition.”

Italy: Hydrogen Valley, 52 Hubs for the Production of Green Hydrogen Financed Thanks to 500 Million From the PNRR