ELES, Plinovodi and Yokogawa Electric Corporation signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to collaborate on developing a hydrogen ecosystem in Slovenia. The partnership aims to strengthen the resilience of the country’s critical energy infrastructure while establishing a foundation for a low-carbon hydrogen sector. The companies signed the agreement on September 10 alongside ministerial meetings in Japan. Representatives from the Japanese and Slovenian governments witnessed the signing, highlighting the growing industrial cooperation between the two countries.
Strengthening Electricity, Gas and Hydrogen Integration
Under the MoU, ELES, Plinovodi and Yokogawa will explore ways to improve the resilience of Slovenia’s critical energy infrastructure. In particular, the partners will focus on sector coupling across electricity, gas and hydrogen networks. As renewable energy deployment expands, integrating these energy systems can help improve energy security and system stability. Therefore, the companies plan to investigate solutions that enable electricity, gas and hydrogen infrastructure to operate in a more coordinated manner.
The collaboration will include a potential demonstration project for a hydrogen plant connected to Slovenia’s electricity and gas transmission networks. The partners will also examine digital solutions to coordinate the operation of these interconnected infrastructures. In addition, the initiative will explore green hydrogen mobility solutions for maintaining electricity and gas networks. The partners also plan to assess mobile backup power units that can support electricity distribution while serving as fast-charging units.
Combining Energy Infrastructure and Digital Expertise
The three companies will contribute complementary capabilities to support Slovenia’s hydrogen ambitions. ELES will contribute its experience in managing and developing Slovenia’s electricity transmission system. It also initiated a consortium focused on developing a hydrogen ecosystem based on low-carbon hydrogen sources on the power side.
Plinovodi will contribute its expertise in gas transmission infrastructure and hydrogen infrastructure development. The company is also working to integrate Slovenia into emerging European hydrogen corridors. As part of the European Hydrogen Backbone initiative, Plinovodi is preparing its transmission system for renewable and carbon-neutral gases while laying the groundwork for Slovenia’s future hydrogen backbone. Meanwhile, Yokogawa will bring its international expertise in industrial automation, digitalisation and hydrogen-related technologies. Its experience includes initiatives supporting hydrogen ecosystems and green hydrogen applications.
Feasibility Study to Assess Hydrogen Integration
Yokogawa Europe will lead the collaboration activities under the MoU. As the first step, the partners will conduct a feasibility study covering the technical, operational and commercial aspects of integrating hydrogen into Slovenia’s energy infrastructure. The study will help identify practical pathways for connecting hydrogen with existing electricity and gas systems. It will also support Slovenia’s efforts to leverage its strategic position within European energy corridors as demand for renewable and carbon-neutral energy solutions increases.
Hydrogen Could Support Future Industry and Transport
Aleksander Mervar, MSc, Chief Executive Officer of ELES, said the MoU marks the beginning of a major project for Slovenia’s energy sector. He noted that the initiative could provide a foundation for wider deployment of hydrogen technologies across industry and transport. According to Mervar, the knowledge, technology and operational experience developed through the partnership could also be applied to critical energy infrastructure beyond Slovenia, supporting more resilient, flexible and sustainable energy systems across Europe.
Matija Bitenc, MSc, Chief Executive Officer of Plinovodi, said the partnership represents an important step towards a more connected and resilient energy system in Slovenia and the wider region. He highlighted the importance of integrating different energy infrastructures rather than developing individual energy carriers in isolation. According to Bitenc, hydrogen could connect electricity and gas infrastructure while providing greater flexibility, resilience and utilisation of existing assets.
Japan-Slovenia Cooperation on Hydrogen
Koji Nakaoka, Executive Vice President & Executive Officer and Head of the Energy & Sustainability Business Headquarters at Yokogawa Electric Corporation, said hydrogen will play an important role in the energy transition. He added that the collaboration will support the development of a resilient and sustainable hydrogen ecosystem in Slovenia while strengthening hydrogen cooperation between Japan and Slovenia. The partnership also reflects the companies’ focus on reducing dependence on fossil fuels.
Supporting Europe’s Low-Carbon Energy Transition
The MoU marks another step in Slovenian-Japanese industrial cooperation and creates a framework for exploring hydrogen-based solutions for future energy infrastructure. The partnership highlights the role of international collaboration in developing technologies, infrastructure and investment models for the energy transition. By combining expertise from Japan and Europe, ELES, Plinovodi and Yokogawa aim to explore solutions addressing energy security, infrastructure resilience, sustainability and decarbonisation. As per the press release, the feasibility study and subsequent demonstration activities could provide practical insights into integrating hydrogen with electricity and gas networks, supporting the development of Slovenia’s future low-carbon energy system.
