The TRIĒRĒS project successfully organised the “Public & Private Consultation on Crete’s Green Hydrogen Potential” on 29 May 2026 at the FORTH Science and Cultural Center in Heraklion. The event brought together representatives from the Region of Crete, the Cretan Hydrogen Committee, Hydrogen Europe, research and academic institutions, industry stakeholders, and hydrogen experts to discuss opportunities for developing a green hydrogen ecosystem on the island and strengthening Crete’s role in Europe’s hydrogen economy.
Exploring Crete’s Role in the European Hydrogen Landscape
The event opened with welcoming remarks from representatives of the Region of Crete and the Cretan Hydrogen Committee, highlighting the island’s growing interest in clean energy solutions and its strategic position in the Mediterranean region.
During the opening session, participants were introduced to the vision of the TRIĒRĒS Hydrogen Valley by Stella Giannisi (Motor Oil), who presented the project’s ambition to establish an integrated hydrogen value chain through a living testbed environment connecting production, distribution, and end-use applications.
The discussion also focused on the role of the Cretan Hydrogen Committee in supporting local hydrogen deployment initiatives and fostering cooperation among regional stakeholders.
Jorgo Chatzimarkakis, CEO of Hydrogen Europe, provided a broader European perspective by delivering a keynote presentation titled “Crete’s Hydrogen Opportunity: Connecting Island Decarbonization, Hydrogen Valleys, and Europe’s Clean Industrial Future.” He discussed how islands like Crete can play a pivotal role in advancing Europe’s clean hydrogen ambitions while addressing local energy and sustainability issues.
Sector-Specific Consultations on Hydrogen Applications
A central part of the consultation was dedicated to interactive stakeholder discussions moderated by Patrick Cnubben (Hydrogen Architects). Participants explored opportunities, challenges, and priorities across three strategic sectors.
Sustainable Mobility and Strategic Transport Corridors
The first panel examined opportunities for decarbonizing maritime transport through hydrogen-powered ferries and strengthening connections between Greek hydrogen initiatives through future “Sea Bridges” (ferries). The panelists also discussed heavy-duty road transport and zero-emission airport ground operations as key areas for hydrogen deployment.
Hydrogen for Tourism and the Built Environment
The second panel explored pathways for reducing emissions in Crete’s tourism sector. Participants discussed the potential use of hydrogen technologies to support sustainable hotels, clean energy systems, and low-carbon tourism services. These technologies would contribute to the island’s long-term environmental and economic resilience.
Strengthening Research and Innovation Capacity
The third panel brought together representatives from the academic and research communities, including organizations such as FORTH, University of Crete (Prof. George Froudakis), FEN Research GmbH (CEO Dr. Nikolaus Fleischhacker) and other regional institutions. The discussions focused on developing hydrogen technology, identifying innovation opportunities, developing skills, and strengthening local expertise to support future hydrogen projects on the island.
Building an Investment Roadmap for Crete
During the afternoon session, participants identified the next steps for transforming stakeholder insights into concrete actions. Participants offered recommendations on investment priorities, funding mechanisms, and necessary policy measures to accelerate hydrogen deployment in Crete.
These discussions will inform the ongoing development of strategic planning activities within the TRIĒRĒS project and support the identification of viable investment opportunities and future hydrogen value chain development pathways for the island.
Advancing Regional Collaboration for the Energy Transition
This consultation event revealed significant interest among public and private stakeholders in exploring hydrogen as a critical component of Crete’s energy transition. By bringing together diverse perspectives from the government, industry, research institutions, and civil society, the event underscored the importance of collaboration in developing a sustainable and resilient hydrogen ecosystem.
Through such initiatives, TRIĒRĒS continues to support the development of regional hydrogen ecosystems, strengthen stakeholder engagement, and contribute to Europe’s goal of establishing a successful hydrogen economy.