The Romanian Government has officially endorsed the National Hydrogen Strategy 2025-2030, a comprehensive document that charts the course for the country’s energy transition and the advancement of the clean hydrogen sector. This strategy offers an analysis of sectors pertinent to hydrogen development, reflecting the current landscape in Romania while incorporating arguments and best practices from other European nations and beyond.

Source: Energy Industry Review

Production Goals

The strategy aims to produce 153,000 tons of renewable hydrogen annually by 2030, primarily targeting the transport and heavy industry sectors. To achieve this goal, Romania will require over 2,100 MW of electrolyzers, which will be powered by approximately 4,200 MW of renewable energy sourced from dedicated solar and wind farms.

Renewable hydrogen is seen as an important vector for reducing greenhouse gas emissions, playing a critical role in the energy transition to ‘net zero’ emissions. As part of the decarbonization process, the development of a solid system of renewable energy sources, hydrogen can be a substitute for fossil fuels currently used, contributing to the reduction of emissions in sectors vital to the Romanian economy such as industry and transport, but also in the energy and heating sectors.

^{the strategic document cites}

Transition from Gray to Green Hydrogen

The plan envisions a complete transition from ‘gray’ hydrogen, produced from natural gas, to ‘green’ hydrogen, generated using clean energy sources. This shift could lead to a reduction of over two million tons of annual CO₂ emissions and support the country’s economic and industrial modernization.

Currently, hydrogen production in Romania is predominantly ‘gray’ hydrogen, sourced from natural gas through companies like AirLiquide, Azomures, Chimcomplex, Liberty Galati, Rompetrol, OMV Petrom, and Petrotel-Lukoil. Nevertheless, some firms are progressing towards green hydrogen: OMV Petrom plans to achieve a 30% emissions reduction by 2030, Liberty Steel is developing a hydrogen steel plant, and Chimcomplex and Azomures are investigating green production methods.

Development of Hydrogen Valleys

The strategy also encompasses the establishment of five ‘hydrogen valleys’, which are integrated regions for production, transportation, and consumption. These valleys include:

• Bucharest-Ploiesti-Pitesti
• Constanta-Medgidia
• Cluj-Targu Mures
• Galati-Braila-Tulcea
• Craiova-Slatina

These initiatives are designed to attract investments, create job opportunities, and connect Romania to the future European hydrogen pipeline network.

Legal Framework

The first reflex is to say: let’s see the first valley and we’ll discuss it then. The concept was not adapted to the realities in the country. It’s too general and too optimistic. However, with clear rules and well-designed support schemes, it can become an asset.

^{Ioan Iordache, Executive Director of the Hydrogen Energy Association}

The document sets forth the legal structure for the production and utilization of renewable hydrogen, established through Law 237/2023, which introduces mandatory quotas, certificates of origin, and contracts for difference. However, the absence of implementing rules poses a significant barrier to investment.

Ongoing Pilot Projects

Pilot projects currently in progress include:

• Ro-HydroHub Ramnicu Valcea (EUR 140 million through the NRRP)
• OMV Petrom’s 20 MW unit at Petrobrazi
• Delgaz Grid’s 20HyGrid project, which tests hydrogen blending in gas networks

The National Hydrogen Strategy is a key programmatic document that creates predictability for the industry and connects Romania to the European hydrogen infrastructure and markets

^{Cristian Calin, Director of Green Gas Programs and Decarbonization Solutions, Delgaz Grid}

The swift adoption of implementing rules and the initiation of support schemes will be crucial for hydrogen to emerge, as specialists suggest, as the ‘battery of the future’ and a cornerstone of Romania’s economic competitiveness.