Hydrogen Valleys Without Borders How the Moravian-Silesian Region Is Joining Forces with Poland
30 ǀ POSITIV HYDROGEN
VODÍK
Hydrogen Valleys Without Borders
How the Moravian-Silesian Region
Is Joining Forces with Poland
The Moravian-Silesian Region is developing the concept of hydrogen valleys beyond the Czech
borders. Cooperaon with Polish partners, launched in 2025 through a joint cross-border project,
is now connuing with preparaons for further acvies.
Inspiration That Grew into a Partnership
Poland is currently one of the most active countries
in Europe when it comes to putting hydrogen
technologies into practice. The Moravian-Silesian
Hydrogen Cluster therefore sought to establish
strategic cooperation with partners who already had
genuine hands-on experience. The city of Rybnik was
the natural choice. With its fleet of hydrogen buses, fully
operational hydrogen refuelling station and established
supply chain, it has become one of the most interesting
examples of hydrogen transformation in Central
Europe in just a few years. Moreover, Ewelina Wloch,
Head of the Digitalisation and New Technologies
Department at Rybnik City Hall, did not hesitate
for a moment when presented with the opportunity
to launch a cross-border project with the cluster.
This led to the creation of the project Activation
of Cross-Border Cooperation for the Development
of the “Hydrogen Valleys” Concept and a partnership
that now connects local authorities, universities,
research institutions and companies in both countries.
“However, the aim was not merely to share experience.
From the very beginning, the ambition was to lay
the foundations for a future cross-border hydrogen
valley that will attract new investment and innovation,
create skilled jobs and strengthen the competitiveness
of the entire region,” said Zdeněk Vomočil, Chairman
of the Cluster’s Board of Directors.
How the Project Unfolded
At the heart of the project was an intensive series
of 14 expert workshops and four case studies held on both
sides of the border throughout the year. They covered six
thematic areas: strategy, financing and regulation, energy
transformation, research, development and education,
transport, and the circular economy. The workshops
attracted 589 participants – 91 more than originally
planned. Around 100 expert presentations were
delivered, with more than 50 institutions from the Czech
Republic and Poland represented.
The aim was not only to share national and regional
hydrogen strategies and legislation, but above all
to identify specific areas for joint projects, research,
investment and pilot solutions. Joint meetings and expert
workshops demonstrated that the future of hydrogen
technologies is not being shaped solely in laboratories,
but primarily through cooperation between the public
sector, research institutions and industry. Thanks
to the involvement of the third partner, the KOMAG
Institute of Mining Technology, the region is gaining access
to valuable expertise in research, testing and the practical
implementation of innovative energy solutions. One
example is a joint project exploring the use of heat
from mine water to potentially preheat electrolysers.
“The project enabled us to share a wealth of valuable
information and connect numerous organisations that
are already discussing further business and project
cooperation. It has also led to new friendships
within the hydrogen community,” said Vladimír Maryška,
Manager of the Hydrogen Cluster.
Benefits of the Project
From a public administration perspective, the Moravian-
Silesian Region is preparing to sign a memorandum
with the Silesian Voivodeship on the establishment
of a joint Silesian Hydrogen Valley. In addition, a project
focusing on cross-border hydrogen buses for tourist
transport between the two regions could also be
developed.
Research and development, represented primarily
by VSB – Technical University of Ostrava on the Czech
side and the Silesian University of Technology on
| Text: Monika Ševčíková, foto: Moravskoslezský Vodíkový Klastr