Baki Bajraktari, who works in the Bulqize chrome mine in northeastern Albania, never imagined that the presence of hydrogen in the mine could be seen as a positive development, especially after a tragic incident in 2011.

However, a recent study published in the peer-reviewed journal Science has shed light on a significant reservoir of hydrogen, ranging from 5,000 to 50,000 tons, buried beneath the mine. This discovery has sparked optimism about leveraging hydrogen to reduce emissions in the region.

As western Balkan countries strive to meet EU emissions targets, the focus on hydrogen as a clean energy source has intensified. Hydrogen, produced through electrolyzing water, holds promise for emission reduction when generated using renewable energy sources or carbon capture technology. The EU’s commitment to invest up to 470 billion euros in renewable hydrogen by 2050 underscores the growing importance of this energy transition.

Serbia and Croatia have emerged as frontrunners in hydrogen investment. In Serbia, plans are underway for a 2 billion euro investment, including a hydrogen facility, aiming to produce 30,000 metric tons annually by 2028. Croatia, on the other hand, plans to install 70 megawatts of hydrogen-powered capacity by 2030 and a staggering 2,750 megawatts by 2050. Additionally, countries like North Macedonia are exploring opportunities to repurpose coal-fired power plants into hydrogen facilities.

Efforts to develop infrastructure for hydrogen transportation are also underway. Skopje, for instance, is constructing a 123-kilometer gas pipeline with Greece, with aspirations to transport hydrogen in the future. While the amounts of hydrogen found in the Bulqize mine may be relatively small and costly to extract, they represent a step towards a more sustainable energy future for the Balkans.