Hydrogen Valleys Without Borders - How the Moravian-Silesian Region Is Joining Forces with Poland
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 the Polish side, has led to a joint agreement on knowledge transfer, particularly in the field of hydrogen safety, as well as academic staff exchanges. A joint study programme could also be established.
The cooperation is already generating tangible business opportunities in both directions. Polish energy company TAURON is planning to enter the Czech market and intends to build at least four hydrogen refuelling stations in the border region. Meanwhile, the Polish side has shown interest in a commercial vehicle made by the Czech company HAGEMANN and is currently in talks with the company about purchasing it.
The cooperation also led to two business missions to Poznań, Lublin and Chełm, focusing on the hydrogen economy, mobility and new business opportunities. In addition to establishing contacts with local authorities and hydrogen bus manufacturers, the missions demonstrated the determined and decisive mindset with which new challenges are generally approached in Poland. Representatives of Czech technology companies particularly appreciated the standard of mobile hydrogen refuelling solutions, which could serve as a model for the Czech market.
Among Europe’s Leading Hydrogen Valleys
The network of contacts and know-how that the cluster built up throughout 2025 began to bear fruit as early as 2026, when the Moravian-Silesian Hydrogen Cluster succeeded in a call under the European Project Development Assistance (PDA) programme, which forms part of the Hydrogen Valleys Facility initiative within the Clean Hydrogen Partnership. Of 23 applicants from across Europe, only 13 hydrogen valleys ultimately received support – including the Moravian-Silesian Hydrogen Valley project, the only representative from the Czech Republic.
What Comes Next
According to the cluster, the sustainability of the cooperation is already secured through the confirmed continuation of the partnership with the city of Rybnik. “We have agreed to submit another joint cross-border project entitled Development of Cross-Border Cooperation on the Hydrogen Valley Concept, as there is clearly an ambition to develop a broader hydrogen valley across the Moravian-Silesian Region and Silesia, and our partnership is proving to be a long-term strategic project rather than a one-off initiative.”
At the same time, the cluster is continuing with other activities linked to the hydrogen valley concept:
Establishment of a Regional Hub – the project will prepare scenario-based feasibility studies for a hub designed to provide a mix of renewable and low-carbon hydrogen production and supply for the decarbonisation of the chemical industry and other energy-intensive businesses in the region.
The Working Group on Education in Hydrogen Technologies is gradually presenting the first outputs of its strategy for developing the region’s education system in this field.
UNIFHY Pilot Project – a GIS analysis and mapping of suitable locations for hydrogen technologies in the region. A publicly accessible map layer will be created in the regional GEOPORTAL, making it easier for investors to identify suitable locations while also providing the region and municipalities with an important resource for strategic planning.
More Than an Energy Transformation
The development of hydrogen technologies is bringing the region not only environmental benefits, but also opportunities to create skilled jobs, attract new investment and strengthen the competitiveness of industry. By connecting businesses, research institutions and the public sector, the region is gradually becoming an important centre for hydrogen innovation in Central Europe.