Czech Republic – Economic and Social Council of the Ústí Region
Ústí Hydrogen Platform & Framework Analysis
The Economic and Social Council of the Ústí Region established a hydrogen platform, analysed coal-to-hydrogen transition options, and organised a kick-off event aligning regional industry with national H₂ strategy.
The following steps were taken to fulfill the task:
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Stakeholder identification & engagement: Ústí is a coal-heavy region undergoing structural change. The Council mobilised regional government, ČEZ (energy utility), Unipetrol (refinery), universities in Ústí and Prague, and local municipalities into a hydrogen platform.
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Regional framework analysis: The Council coordinated an assessment of hydrogen production potential from renewables and by-product hydrogen from petrochemicals, mapped industrial offtake (chemicals, refining, mobility), and aligned it with Czechia’s national hydrogen strategy targets.
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Kick-off workshop: A regional hydrogen forum was organised in Ústí bringing 100+ participants together to present baseline analysis, showcase pilot projects (e.g., hydrogen buses in Ústí public transport), and discuss responsibilities for first steps.
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Best practice value: Illustrates how a socio-economic council can connect transition strategy with heavy industry stakeholders and create legitimacy for hydrogen in a structurally challenged region.