The €15M Hydrogen Project That’s Putting Bulgaria on the Clean Energy Map

Bulgaria’s Hydrogen Ambitions Take Shape with a New Centre of Excellence

Bulgaria is charging into the clean energy future with plans to establish a cutting-edge Hydrogen Centre of Excellence in Stara Zagora. Under the banner of the H2START Hydrogen Valley project, this ambitious initiative is poised to position the Balkan nation as a leader in green hydrogen production and export within Europe. With €15 million in funding from the European Commission through the Horizon Europe program, and additional national co-financing, Bulgaria is stepping firmly onto the hydrogen stage.

This Centre of Excellence seeks to develop and refine technologies for green hydrogen production and use. By doing so, it aims to drive the country’s clean energy transition in an economy that’s still heavily reliant on fossil fuels. It’s no small feat, but the building blocks for success are already in place thanks to partnerships with both local and international players, including the Thracian University of Stara Zagora, the Polytechnic University of Turin, and the Institute for Advanced Energy Technologies.

Energy Minister Zhecho Stankov has expressed confidence in Bulgaria’s potential, highlighting the country’s “excellent conditions” for green hydrogen production and the pre-existing infrastructure that can support its transport. “Our country has all the right conditions to become one of Europe’s main exporters of green hydrogen,” Stankov remarked. Bold words, but there’s plenty here to support his optimism.

Retrofitting for a Hydrogen Future: Infrastructure and Technology

Bulgaria’s energy strategy doesn’t just rely on a shiny, new research hub. The country is also actively exploring how to adapt its existing gas infrastructure for hydrogen use. National gas transmission operator Bulgartransgaz has already started looking into retrofitting its pipeline network to accommodate a 10% hydrogen blend, a small yet significant step toward decarbonizing the energy sector.

There’s more. Plans are in motion for a 250-kilometer hydrogen-ready pipeline that will connect Sofia to Greece. A potential second phase may stretch this pipeline to the Romanian border, opening up regional export opportunities. These moves suggest Bulgaria is thinking beyond its borders, looking to solidify itself as a key player in the European green hydrogen market while reducing its reliance on Russian gas imports. Historically, Bulgaria has used its pipelines to transport over 20 billion cubic meters of natural gas annually, so transitioning some of this capacity to hydrogen could add a new, environmentally friendly string to its bow.

Collaborations Driving Innovation

The success of the Hydrogen Centre of Excellence rests heavily on collaborations that bring together expertise from across borders. Besides its robust internal partnerships, Bulgaria is working with Italy’s Polytechnic University of Turin and the Institute for Advanced Energy Technologies. Such cooperation is critical to ensuring the delivery of practical, scalable, and innovative hydrogen technologies.

At home, the Centre will contribute to the development of 1.1GW of green hydrogen production capacity by 2030, as outlined in Bulgaria’s hydrogen strategy. For perspective, this is an ambitious leap for a country that still generates 30% of its energy from coal. Early goals include establishing 55 MW of electrolyzer capacity across pilot projects by 2025, setting the stage for full-scale production.

Why This Matters Now

It’s no secret that Europe is on a mission to fast-track its green energy revolution, driven in part by the urgency to reduce emissions and in part by geopolitical turbulence that has upended traditional energy supply chains. Bulgaria’s Centre of Excellence represents another piece of that puzzle, adding capacity in a region that hasn’t yet caught up with Northern and Western Europe in hydrogen development.

For Bulgaria specifically, this initiative offers a pathway to pivot away from being one of the EU’s most carbon-intensive economies. Beyond addressing internal energy needs, green hydrogen could prove to be an economic boon, enabling Bulgaria to export clean energy products to neighboring nations hungry for alternatives to fossil fuels. Think of it as a double win for the planet and the economy.

Additionally, the move to invest in hydrogen complements ongoing European support for hydrogen refueling stations, waste-to-hydrogen facilities, and cross-border hydrogen networks. Bulgaria’s plans align well with these broader efforts. As more countries look toward hydrogen as a linchpin of energy security and sustainability, Bulgaria is wisely positioning itself to be part of that conversation.

Looking Ahead

While timelines for full production remain aspirational, steps are clearly being taken toward realizing this bold vision. Backed by meaningful funding, cross-border collaboration, and strategic adaptation of existing infrastructure, the Stara Zagora Centre lays out a roadmap to hydrogen success. By the time Bulgaria hits its targeted green hydrogen capacity in 2030, it may very well find itself among Europe’s leading exporters of this critical fuel.

For now, Bulgaria is on the verge of transition. The coming years will be telling, but the investments and plans already in place suggest a country no longer content to linger on the fossil-fueled sidelines. Whether you’re a tech geek curious about electrolyzers or just a citizen excited by the idea of cleaner alternatives powering your future, keep your eye on Stara Zagora. Change is brewing, and it’s coming with a spark of green.