Slovenia’s Grid Operators Sign Hydrogen Pact with Japan’s Yokogawa at Chiba Ministerial

Slovenia’s electricity and gas transmission operators have joined forces with a Japanese industrial technology company to advance the country’s hydrogen ambitions. ELES, which manages the national power grid, and Plinovodi, the gas network operator, signed a memorandum of understanding with Yokogawa Electric Corporation at the 2026 Hydrogen Energy Ministerial Meeting in Chiba, Japan.

The agreement is framed as a strategic partnership for hydrogen development in Slovenia. A joint statement describes it as a potential pathway toward a carbon-neutral hydrogen ecosystem and as an early step in integrating the country’s separate electricity and gas transmission systems more closely.

Under the envisioned collaboration, a first shared facility would generate hydrogen by balancing grid supply and demand, then store the gas for use across both networks — including during emergencies. The project concept also covers mobile backup units to stabilise the grid and ease electric-vehicle fast-charging bottlenecks, alongside digital tools for cross-system coordination. Specific timelines and technical specifications have not yet been disclosed.

ELES chief executive Aleksander Mervar said the memorandum lays the groundwork for broader hydrogen adoption in industry and transport. Plinovodi managing director Matija Bitenc described hydrogen as a potential bridge between electricity and gas infrastructure. Montenegro’s energy minister, also present at the signing, pointed to his country’s green hydrogen production potential.

The deal comes as global clean hydrogen investment surpasses $130 billion, spanning more than 570 projects with a combined capacity of 6.9 million metric tons per year, according to the Global Hydrogen Council. Around 90 percent of that announced capacity is already under construction or operating. China leads in renewable hydrogen installations, holding well over half of total global capacity, while Europe ranks second by investment volume.

Source: Balkan Green Energy News