3Seas Hydrogen Council (3S) formalizes collaboration by signing an official term sheet agreement at Hyvolution Paris

3Seas Hydrogen Council (3S) – a  hydrogen initiative encompassing Central European and Baltic states – has yesterday officially inaugurated its collaborative operations with the ceremonial signing of a term sheet at the Hyvolution Paris summit. The document not only symbolizes the start of the Council's activities, but above all unites its members in their efforts to be regularly active and to develop the hydrogen sector in the region.

The agreement, a cornerstone document of the Council, meticulously outlines the foundational operating principles, goals and the organizational structure of 3S. It signifies a coordinated effort towards fostering a robust hydrogen economy in Central Europe and the Baltics, stressing the importance of sustainable energy development and a hydrogen-centric economic model.

 “We must realise that we are now living in a state of war, which Ukraine is waging for all of us. Nothing will ever be the same again. Therefore, it becomes crucial to rethink and restructure the development path of our entire region. This is one of the main reasons why we have decided to unite and join our forces in the 3S.” – emphasized Tomoho Umeda, Vice President of the Hydrogen Poland Association.

“In challenging times, the most effective form of defense is strategic planning. Therefore, we have created a platform that I believe will become immensely successful and crucial for our entire region in the future.” - says Oleksandr Riepkin, Member of the Board of the Ukrainian Hydrogen Council.

This initiative is a testament to the collective ambition of participating nations – Poland, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Lithuania, Latvia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Hungary, and Ukraine – to explore and leverage synergies for a zero-emission economy, with hydrogen as its crucial element.

The creation of 3S was officially announced last year during the H2Poland hydrogen technology forum. The document signed today expresses in concrete terms the Council's objectives and agenda, which will be gradually implemented by its members.

“The 3Seas Hydrogen Council will be committed to the creation of specialized discussion platforms, which will be dedicated to examining key developments in European legislation and national policies that affect the hydrogen sector. A crucial part of our mission should involve evaluating the current funding levels within the EU, particularly in light of the varied climate conditions across our member states. Additionally, I want to underscore the importance of strengthening training, educational initiatives, and scientific collaboration in the field of hydrogen technologies. This objective can be effectively achieved by forging strong partnerships with universities that offer courses in this rapidly evolving domain,” – says Veronika Vohlídková, Member of the Board & Executive Director in HYTEP.

 “We will joint our efforts under the Council agreement to ensure equitable distribution of EU resources across Central and Eastern Europe. The 3S agreement is hoped to bolster regional funding, fostering industrial cooperation and spurring joint projects for competitive green technology development in the participating countries.” – points out István Lepsény, Chairman of the Hungarian Hydrogen Technology Association.

The 3S initiative addresses the critical need for ongoing dialogue and the formation of unified stances, especially within the European Union. The inclusion of Ukrainian organizations in this alliance is particularly significant, marking a robust step towards integrating Ukraine into the European Community.

“The 3Seas Hydrogen Council will focus on establishing collaborative frameworks, encouraging research and development initiatives, and facilitating investment in hydrogen infrastructure. The Council should also focus on educational and awareness programs to promote the widespread adoption of hydrogen technologies. Promoting cross-border initiatives and knowledge exchange will be instrumental in realizing the full potential of hydrogen. By taking these steps, the Council can play a pivotal role in advancing the transition towards a cleaner, greener future,” – says Oleksandr Riepkin.

Yesterday's event was summarized by Paweł Piotrowicz, President of Hydrogen Poland, which initiated the 3S:

“I‘m extremely proud that the 3Seas Hydrogen Council, the first and only such hydrogen initiative in Central Europe, is today taking the next step in its history. This collaboration opens a new chapter on the way towards energy transition in our region, putting us at the forefront of this change. Today is also a solemn moment, demonstrating our ability to act together and unite in the field of green energy. After all, no one will do it for us. It is an honor to shoulder this responsibility.

• Hydrogen Poland, Initiator of the 3S Hydrogen Council
• Czech Technological Hydrogen Platform (HYTEP)
• Ukrainian Hydrogen Council
• Hungarian Hydrogen Technology Association
• Estonian Hydrogen Cluster
• National Hydrogen Association of Slovenia
• Slovak National Hydrogen Association
• Latvian Hydrogen Alliance
• Lithuanian Hydrogen Energy Association
• Pomeranian Hydrogen Technology Cluster