At the beginning of September, Riga hosted the European Hydrogen Valleys Investment Forum (EHVIF TechTour 2025), reaffirming hydrogen as one of the central themes for Europe’s future energy landscape. The event gathered more than 220 participants – including start-ups, investors, corporate representatives, experts, and policymakers.
In total, 40 start-ups and hydrogen valley projects presented their innovative ideas, while more than 40 investors and industry leaders shared their perspectives on developing and financing clean energy solutions. The event concluded with eight companies being recognized by the expert jury as Top Presenters.
Special attention in the programme was devoted to discussions on hydrogen production, storage, distribution, and use in mobility and industry, as well as on governance and cooperation models. One of the key highlights was the pitching session, where the H2Value project was presented – the first cross-border initiative to build a green hydrogen value chain between Latvia and Estonia. The project’s goal is to gradually establish the entire chain, from production and storage to distribution and real-life application in transport.
In Jelgava, the first hydrogen-powered public transport bus is already in operation. For now, the fuel is supplied from Tallinn by project partner “Alexela”, but in the near future local production is planned in cooperation with “AI Cooperation” and “Gren Jelgava”, using biomass as a renewable resource. This facility will mark an important step both in reaching climate goals and in strengthening Latvia’s energy independence.
Forum discussions repeatedly emphasized the crucial role of pilot projects in the development of hydrogen technologies – they allow practical testing of ideas and serve as a foundation for broader deployment. As industry expert Patrick Cnubben (Hydrogen Architects) pointed out:
“Pilots must come first, and regulation should follow. If the regulatory environment is too strict, innovation is stifled. Flexibility is key. And every hydrogen valley needs its own champion – a leader who does not give up and drives the process forward.” At the same time, it was underlined that hydrogen development extends beyond the energy sector. It acts as a linking element between transport, industry, housing, and agriculture, forming a unified system for a sustainable future.
The Latvian Hydrogen Association emphasizes that H2Value is a strong example of how practical and scalable solutions are being built step by step in the Baltic region. Green hydrogen is no longer just a vision for other parts of Europe – it is being developed here in Latvia and Estonia, showcasing the region’s ambition and readiness to play an active role in shaping Europe’s hydrogen ecosystem.
