ELES, Plinovodi, Yokogawa Sign MoU to Develop Hydrogen Ecosystem in Slovenia

ELES, Plinovodi and Yokogawa Electric Corporation have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to collaborate on developing a nationwide hydrogen ecosystem in Slovenia, aimed at strengthening critical energy infrastructure and supporting the country’s emerging low-carbon hydrogen sector.

The agreement was signed alongside ministerial meetings in Japan and witnessed by representatives of the Japanese and Slovenian governments.

Under the MoU, the three companies will explore ways to improve the resilience of Slovenia’s critical energy infrastructure by integrating electricity, gas and hydrogen systems. The collaboration is expected to support greater energy security and system stability as renewable energy deployment increases.

The companies plan to explore a demonstration project for a hydrogen plant that would interface with Slovenia’s electricity and gas transmission networks. The initiative will also examine digital solutions for coordinated operation of the two infrastructures.

The collaboration will further cover resilient green hydrogen mobility solutions for maintaining critical electricity and gas infrastructure. It will also examine mobile backup electricity distribution units that can serve a dual function as fast-charging units.

ELES will contribute its experience in managing and developing Slovenia’s electricity transmission system. It is also the initiator of a consortium established to develop a hydrogen ecosystem based on low-carbon hydrogen sources on the power side.

Plinovodi will contribute its expertise in gas transmission infrastructure and hydrogen infrastructure development. The company is preparing Slovenia’s transmission system for renewable and carbon-neutral gases and is developing the foundations for the country’s future hydrogen backbone and its integration into emerging European hydrogen corridors under the European Hydrogen Backbone initiative.

Yokogawa will bring its international experience in industrial automation and digitalisation, along with its hydrogen-related initiatives and experience in developing hydrogen ecosystems and green hydrogen applications.

The activities under the MoU will be led by Yokogawa Europe, with a feasibility study forming the first step. The study will assess technical, operational and commercial pathways for integrating hydrogen into Slovenia’s energy infrastructure.

According to ELES CEO Aleksander Mervar, the initiative could establish a foundation for wider deployment of hydrogen technologies in industry and transport and contribute to the development of a hydrogen-based economy. He also highlighted the potential to replicate the expertise and operational experience developed through the partnership across Europe.

Plinovodi CEO Matija Bitenc said the collaboration would demonstrate how hydrogen could connect electricity and gas infrastructure, providing greater flexibility, resilience and better utilisation of existing assets. He said Slovenia could become a European demonstration case for sector coupling.

Koji Nakaoka, Executive Vice President and Executive Officer and head of the Energy & Sustainability Business Headquarters at Yokogawa Electric Corporation, said hydrogen would have an important role in the energy transition and that the company would support the development of a resilient and sustainable hydrogen ecosystem in Slovenia.

The MoU marks a step in Slovenian-Japanese industrial cooperation and reflects the two countries’ interest in developing approaches to energy security, sustainability and defossilisation through international R&D and investment cooperation.