RISE, the European Union, the Clean Hydrogen Partnership, Horizon Europe, and a broad coalition of 45 partners from industry, research and the public sector are joining forces in the High Coast to West Coast Hydrogen Valley project to establish integrated regional value chains for renewable hydrogen in Västernorrland and Western Sweden.
The initiative is one of Sweden’s most ambitious hydrogen programmes to date and is directly aligned with the EU Hydrogen Strategy, supporting Europe’s transition toward a climate-neutral, competitive, resilient and energy-independent energy system. With a total budget of nearly EUR 20 million and a six-year timeline, the project aims to produce at least 4,000 tonnes of green hydrogen by 2030.
A Hydrogen Valley is defined as a fully connected regional ecosystem where hydrogen production, distribution, storage and end use are linked across multiple sectors. High Coast to West Coast Hydrogen Valley brings this concept to life by connecting renewable hydrogen generation with industrial applications, transport, and the production of e-fuels. By demonstrating hydrogen systems at commercial scale, the project is designed to accelerate technological maturity, reduce costs and create scalable solutions that can be replicated across Europe.
RISE coordinates the project and plays a central role in connecting stakeholders and translating research and innovation into industrial deployment. According to Magnus Hallberg, Head of the Bioeconomy Division at RISE, hydrogen will be essential to Europe’s long-term climate ambitions.
“The development of a robust hydrogen economy is a cornerstone of the EU’s strategy to reach climate neutrality by 2050,” says Hallberg. “Reducing dependence on imported fossil fuels and strengthening energy system resilience has become increasingly important. Sweden has exceptional conditions for hydrogen production, with abundant renewable energy resources, strong industrial clusters and a well-developed innovation ecosystem.”
The project spans the entire hydrogen value chain and involves close collaboration with partners in Spain, Greece and Germany, enabling international knowledge exchange and laying the groundwork for replication in other regions. This European cooperation ensures that lessons learned in Sweden can contribute to hydrogen deployment well beyond national borders.
Local and regional stakeholders see the Hydrogen Valley as both an industrial opportunity and a tool for regional development. Ånge Municipality, one of the participating regions, views the initiative as a confirmation of its long-term engagement at the European level.
“Ånge Municipality is proud to be part of Sweden’s first official Hydrogen Valley,” says Erik Lövgren, Chair of the Municipal Executive Committee. “The project strengthens our international networks and brings valuable resources to the region.”
Industrial partners highlight the importance of Hydrogen Valleys as real-world testbeds for the energy transition. Richard Berkling, CEO of PowerCell Group, emphasizes that integrated hydrogen systems are essential for moving from innovation to large-scale deployment.
“Hydrogen Valleys create the environments needed to test, scale and commercialize new solutions,” Berkling says. “In Sweden, hydrogen and fuel cells can become a strategic asset—not only for climate goals, but also for energy security and system stability, particularly as wind and solar power continue to grow.”
For companies working with electrofuels, the project provides a direct pathway from hydrogen production to market-ready applications. Liquid Wind, which develops e-methanol plants for shipping and aviation, sees the Hydrogen Valley as a key enabler of industrial decarbonisation.
“By converting green hydrogen and biogenic CO₂ into renewable e-methanol, we turn hydrogen into a practical and economically viable energy carrier,” says Claes Fredriksson, CEO and Founder of Liquid Wind. “Our projects in Örnsköldsvik and Umeå show how Hydrogen Valleys can move from concept to commercial reality.”
From a national and sector-wide perspective, Hydrogen Sweden underlines the importance of coordinated action across industry, academia and public authorities. Björn Aronsson, CEO of Hydrogen Sweden, describes the initiative as a decisive force in building a competitive hydrogen economy.
“By developing fully integrated hydrogen ecosystems, we are not only advancing technology but also laying the foundation for long-term industrial competitiveness and climate benefits,” Aronsson says.
Together, High Coast to West Coast Hydrogen Valley positions Sweden at the forefront of Europe’s hydrogen transition, demonstrating how regional collaboration, strong public-private partnerships and EU support can turn renewable hydrogen into a cornerstone of a resilient, low-carbon energy system.
