site.btaThe European Commission "Is Proud" to Support Hydrogen Centre of Excellence in Stara Zagora

The European Commission is proud to support a Hydrogen Centre of Excellence in Stara Zagora, H2START, through the Horizon Europe Programme, Bulgarian Commissioner Ekaterina Zaharieva, responsible for Startups, Research and Innovation, said in a video address during the official opening of the project on Friday. The project is jointly and equally funded with EUR 15 million under the Horizon Europe Programme and national co-financing.

“Today we support the region of Stara Zagora for a more sustainable and competitive future,” EU Commissioner Zaharieva said in her address. In her words thanks to the right people and policies, and the financial support of EUR 15 million from the European Commission, Stara Zagora will become one of the two hydrogen valleys in Europe. It will produce 500 tons of hydrogen annually, creating jobs, developing abilities and attracting quality investment.

According to Zaharieva, the Hydrogen Centre of Excellence will play a vital role in this process, because of the modern laboratories to be built, which will be available to researchers and innovators. Access to the equipment will be granted also to startups and small and medium-sized enterprises from the region and beyond.

The EU Commissioner pointed out that the centre will also strengthen the capacity of higher education, so that Bulgarian youth can acquire the skills of the future.

The H2START project is being carried out by the Trakia University in Stara Zagora, the Bulgarian Hydrogen, Fuel Cell and Energy Storage Association (BGH2A), the Politecnico di Torino (POLITO) and Italy's Nicola Giordano Institute of Advanced Technologies for Energy (CNR ITAE).

The official launch of the project was also accompanied by a professional discussion on the prospects and importance of hydrogen technologies. The forum took place at the Sofia Balkan Palace hotel in the capital.

Stara Zagora is a strategic logistic centre in Bulgaria and the Balkan Peninsula, the European Commission writes about the project on its website. It is the perfect location to showcase the versatility and potential of green hydrogen as a means to improve air quality in the city, reduce CO2 emissions for energy production and mobility applications, and generate economic welfare. The demonstration of clean, safe, and sustainable hydrogen technology applications will improve public perception of hydrogen ecosystems, and kick start a hydrogen-based economy not only in the region but across the country, the Commission says.