The Fourth Budapest Hydrogen Summit brought together key voices from Central and Eastern Europe to spotlight shared challenges and opportunities in hydrogen development. BGH2A joined as an institutional partner, presenting the H2START project and reinforcing the call for EU policies that reflect regional realities.
Tapping Into Central and Eastern Europe’s Hydrogen Potential Means Aligning EU Strategies with Regional Needs and Realities
Date: April 15, 2025
Location: Budapest, Hungary
At the fourth Budapest Hydrogen Summit, the Bulgarian Hydrogen, Fuel Cell and Energy Storage Association (BGH2A) joined regional leaders in pushing for tailored hydrogen strategies that reflect the specific needs of Central and Eastern Europe (CEE). Representing the Horizon Europe-funded H2START project, BGH2A emphasized the importance of cross-border cooperation and flexible policy frameworks to unlock the region’s hydrogen potential.
Image Credit: Budapest Hydrogen Summit
Policy Doesn’t Match Practice
Stakeholders across the CEE region voiced concerns over the current EU regulatory framework, which often slows development rather than supports it. Prolonged permitting, unclear certification processes, and low demand were identified as key obstacles. Hydrogen Europe’s CEO Jorgo Chatzimarkakis pointed out that EU regulations can inflate project costs by up to 25%, discouraging investment. MOL Group’s experience building a 10MW electrolyzer underscored the issue—construction took two years, permitting nearly as long.
Image Credit: Budapest Hydrogen Summit
Demand Must Lead the Way
Speakers from the public and private sectors agreed: boosting demand across transport, storage, and industrial sectors is crucial. Companies like MOL Group and Messer are already working with end users to scale adoption. Attila Steiner, Hungary’s Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Policy, stressed hydrogen’s growing role in powering data centers, mobility, and energy resilience.
Regional Collaboration Is Key
CEE countries are aligned in their call for more regionally sensitive EU policies. Discussions highlighted the value of joint strategies, pilot projects, and shared infrastructure. Hungary showcased hydrogen taxis and a waste truck prototype. The Czech EU Presidency was identified as key in placing hydrogen strategy reform on the European Council’s agenda.
H2START as a Model for Action
BGH2A introduced the pioneering H2START project creating a Centre of Excellence in hydrogen technologies as a hands-on approach to bridging science and industry. With a strong focus on infrastructure, skills development, and innovation, the project sets the tone for future regional partnerships. BGH2A invited organizations across CEE to join forces in scaling hydrogen solutions.
Key Takeaways
The message from Budapest is clear: the future of hydrogen in CEE depends on regional unity, policy reform, and projects like H2START that turn ambition into action.
