Planica, 28 March 2025 – Today, Planica is not only the venue for the »biggest Slovenian holiday«, the Ski Jumping World Cup Finals, but also the site of a significant milestone in Slovenia’s energy future – the signing of the Slovenian Hydrogen Initiative SloH2U. In Planica, a symbol of courage, perseverance, and teamwork, the foundations have been laid for a new energy narrative that will integrate Slovenia into the Central European hydrogen network in the coming years, fostering competitive conditions for a decarbonised future.
Marking its 20th anniversary, Plinovodi, Slovenia’s gas transmission system operator, hosted a celebratory event in Planica. In the presence of over 50 Slovenian industrial companies and the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Energy, Mr Bojan Kumer, an agreement was signed to establish the Hydrogen for Users Consortium – SloH2U.
MSc Peter Čas, Managing Director of HRASTNIK1860, a member of the Vaider Group, shared his perspective during the roundtable discussion: »For industry, the question is no longer whether to decarbonise, but how. Collaboration with infrastructure partners like Plinovodi is essential to ensuring that this transition happens in a timely and effective manner. The SloH2U initiative is the right answer at the right time – with a clear direction and a solid technical foundation.«
HRASTNIK1860 is at the forefront of the hydrogen transition, leading Slovenian companies with tangible experience in sustainable projects and green hydrogen utilisation. In 2020, we launched the first pilot system for hydrogen use in glassmaking, testing the technological conditions for melting, efficiency, and emissions impact. In 2023, we became the first company in the world to achieve commercial industrial production of bottles using 60% hydrogen in the fuel mix as part of the international H2GLASS project. By 2026, we plan to install a 2.5 MW electrolyser, paving the way for 100% hydrogen-powered bottle production.
As part of the North Adriatic Hydrogen Valley (NAHV), a key ecosystem for hydrogen production, HRASTNIK1860 will gain access to additional green hydrogen generated within the valley. Furthermore, we are actively engaged in several strategic decarbonisation projects (BEAR, I-STENTORE, CITADEL, PHOTOSINT), primarily focused on electrification and flexibility. These initiatives are crucial for hydrogen integration, as they complement one another, enhancing the potential for decarbonisation, energy efficiency, and cost optimisation.
Our goal is to reduce our carbon footprint by 50% by 2030, having already achieved a 30% reduction. To reach this target, we are advancing efforts across multiple areas and technologies. The green transition, which is also a technological transition, requires collaboration between stakeholders with aligned interests. This collective effort ensures that new technologies achieve the critical mass of users needed to develop infrastructure and enable economically viable utilisation. Networking and knowledge exchange remain essential in accelerating progress and identifying solutions that support the development of new ecosystems.
