The Governments National Hydrogen Strategy sets out an ambitious plan for the development of a new green hydrogen industry in Ireland which it says will play a key role in achieving the 5 GW target of clean renewable energy by 2030.
Last week (23rd January, 2025) almost 40 people attended Donegal County Council’s first Green Hydrogen stakeholder meeting as part of the EU Interreg funded Green Hydra project to explore the potential of developing green hydrogen projects in Donegal and the wider region.
Participants from a variety of fields including industry, research and development, education, government, supply chain management and engineering attended the meeting to learn more about initiatives that are already happening with a view to exploring how best to position Donegal as key player in this emerging sector.
Speakers included representatives from the Department of Environment, Climate and Communications, the ESB, Hydrogen Ireland and the Killybegs Marine Cluster. The presentations highlighted the importance of green hydrogen as a clean energy solution for decarbonizing industries, transportation and energy systems. Speakers shared insights on Ireland’s National Hydrogen Strategy, its relevance to Donegal, and the opportunities for collaboration and investment.
A lively discussion followed the presentations, where participants explored potential areas for collaboration, including the development of pilot projects that could demonstrate the feasibility of green hydrogen technologies in Donegal. Stakeholders emphasized the importance of cross-sectoral cooperation to address technical, social, logistical and economic challenges in scaling up green hydrogen solutions.
Speaking at the event, Head of Economic Development for Donegal County Council, Anne Marie Conlon said “The Green Hydra project is a transformative initiative that has the potential to unlock significant opportunities for Donegal, both economically and environmentally as well as benefit the entire Island. By working with partners across Europe we can learn from regions that are more developed in terms of green hydrogen as well as looking at potential collaborations or joint ventures within the sector. Today’s meeting is just the beginning of what we hope will be a productive partnership with stakeholders across the region and beyond.”
For more information on the Green Hydra project or to get involved in the multi stakeholder group, contact Donegal County Councils Economic Development Team at economicdevelopment@donegalcoco.ie
