How Hydrogen Valleys Reach FID: Insights from Hydrogen Poland at WHW 2025

⚙️ From vision to FID: how hydrogen valleys mature towards investment?

During World Hydrogen Week 2025 in Copenhagen, organized by S&P Global, our expert Alex Naumann, Member of the Board at Hydrogen Poland Association, took part in the panel discussion:

“Exploring the power of hydrogen valleys and clusters: which ones are reaching FID and why?”

🔹 Moderator: Jaqueline Pinto, University of Eastern Finland

🔹 Panelists:

• Cyril DUFAU-SANSOT, Hy2gen

• Livia Pastore, Dominik Walasek

• Prof. Bradley Ladewig, University of Luxembourg / The Luxembourg Valley

The discussion focused on how hydrogen valleys can evolve from conceptual frameworks to the Final Investment Decision (FID) stage, and which factors determine their success.

Hydrogen valleys aim to integrate producers, off-takers, and local authorities - serving as ecosystems that minimize the need for hydrogen storage and foster innovative applications, such as in public transport.

💬 As the panelists emphasized, the success of such initiatives depends on coordination, trust and compromise among partners. The example of Luxembourg shows that price differences among off-takers are a natural element of a maturing market.

📘 While the RED III Directive provides a framework for the renewable hydrogen market, it still does not close the price gap, which can only be bridged through national support mechanisms, such as two-sided auctions in Germany.

✅ The permitting process should not be seen as a barrier, but as a stage that helps optimize projects and confirm their maturity and safety.

🔑 Key takeaway:

Without strong public support, both political and financial, there can be no investment decisions (FID).

Countries such as Luxembourg and Germany demonstrate that support for operational costs, not just capital expenditures, is crucial.

Hydrogen remains one of the most promising pillars of the energy transition - and cross-sector collaboration combined with long-term strategic thinking is its true fuel.

🙏 Special thanks to the organizers of Global Hydrogen Week 2025 and to all the panelists for an inspiring and insightful discussion.