H2Value is testing real-life green hydrogen solutions to accelerate clean transport in Estonia and Latvia
Hydrogen is increasingly seen as a key solution for decarbonising transport, industry, and energy systems. In Estonia and Latvia, however, its development has so far been limited by high costs and a lack of infrastructure. The H2Value project addresses this gap by building and testing a cross-border hydrogen value chain in real-life conditions, supported by the European Union under the Interregional Innovation Investments Instrument (I3).
Rather than focusing on a single technology, the project brings together the full hydrogen ecosystem – from production to transport and use. This means simultaneously developing green hydrogen production in Jelgava, establishing refuelling solutions in both Latvia and Estonia, and testing hydrogen applications in public transport and logistics. By connecting these elements, the project moves hydrogen from a promising concept to something that works in practice.
Transforming green hydrogen in the Baltics
At the heart of the project is the development of a green hydrogen production facility in Jelgava, where hydrogen will be produced using renewable biomass. This is complemented by hydrogen refuelling infrastructure, including a mobile station in Jelgava and access to infrastructure in Tallinn. Together, these solutions make it possible to test hydrogen across borders – including transporting hydrogen between Estonia and Latvia.
But the value of H2Value lies not only in infrastructure. The project is already demonstrating how hydrogen technologies perform in everyday use. In Jelgava, hydrogen-powered public transport is being tested on real routes, while in Tallinn, hydrogen trucks are introduced into port operations. Additional use cases, such as drones, are also explored, showing how hydrogen can be applied beyond traditional transport.
At the same time, the project is already expanding hydrogen applications into the passenger car segment. In both Estonia and Latvia, full-service leasing solutions are now available for hydrogen-powered vehicles, including models such as Toyota and Hyundai NEXO. This allows the technology to be tested in real-life conditions, from both performance and user experience perspectives.
While hydrogen in transport is often associated with heavy-duty vehicles, the passenger car segment plays an important role in building public awareness and acceptance. By offering access through a leasing model, the project lowers the barrier to testing and provides valuable insights into user behaviour and market readiness.
Aivars Starikovs, H2Value Project coordinator, said: “H2Value is not just a technology pilot – it is a practical first step towards building a functioning hydrogen market in the Baltics. By developing production, infrastructure, and real-life applications at the same time, we are helping to overcome the supply-and-demand gap that has slowed hydrogen development so far. The real value of the project lies in the cooperation between countries, companies, and public authorities to turn hydrogen from a future concept into a practical solution that works already today.”
Building a strong foundation
One of the main challenges the project addresses is the so-called ‘chicken and egg’ problem – without supply there is no demand, and without demand there is no reason to invest in supply. By developing production, infrastructure, and use cases at the same time, H2Value helps to overcome this barrier and create the foundations for a functioning hydrogen market.
The project is built on strong international cooperation, bringing together public authorities, companies, research organisations, and hydrogen experts from Estonia, Latvia, and the Netherlands. This combination of local knowledge and international experience allows partners not only to test technologies, but also to better understand regulatory barriers, investment risks, and long-term opportunities.
Developing with the future in mind
Beyond the pilot activities, H2Value is designed to create something that lasts beyond the project itself. The experience gained from testing hydrogen technologies in real conditions will be translated into practical guidance for others. This includes developing a roadmap for hydrogen development in Estonia and Latvia, as well as a replication toolkit that can support smaller regions across Europe in starting their own hydrogen initiatives.
The ambition is not to deliver large-scale solutions immediately, but to show what is possible and what is needed to move forward. By combining technology, business planning, and stakeholder engagement, H2Value provides a realistic pathway for regions that are only beginning their hydrogen journey.
By the end of the project, partners will not only have demonstrated how green hydrogen can be produced, transported, and used across borders, but also gathered valuable data on its performance, costs, and environmental impact. This knowledge will help decision-makers – from municipalities to businesses – understand where hydrogen can deliver the greatest value.
In this way, H2Value moves beyond theory. It shows that the transition to clean energy systems does not start with large-scale infrastructure, but with practical steps, tested in real-life conditions, and built through cooperation.
Disclaimer
H2Value as part of Interregional Innovation Investments Instrument (I3) – Innovation investments Strand 2a (I3-2021-INV2a) has received funding from the European Union under grant agreement No. 101083881.
