Regional hydrogen plan in Occitanie

As part of its "Positive energy" strategy, Occitanie region is rolling out a renewable hydrogen development plan aimed at limiting greenhouse gas emissions and atmospheric pollution.

The objective is to accelerate large-scale deployment of competitive hydrogen solutions and thus ensure that the region plays a leading role nationally and in Europe.

The regional plan has a budget of EUR 150 million for 2019-2030 and will allow one billion euros in investment to be generated for the initial deployment of hydrogen in industry.

The five-pronged plan provides for 11 measures, taking an integrated approach starting from production through to distribution and applications, and including the training dimension.

To achieve the objectives, all relevant sectoral policies have been mobilised (energy transition, economic development, research and higher education, transport/mobility, maritime policy, European and international relations, employment and training, etc.), as well as the regional Energy and Climate Agency (AREC) and Economic Development Agency (AD'OCC), and Occitanie Europe, the association representing the region in Brussels.

One of the flagship activities of the plan is the Corridor H2 European project, which is promoting the use of renewable hydrogen for:

• heavy vehicles (lorries and tractors);
• the cold chain (refrigerated services/trailers) for transporting fresh products;
• regional interurban buses (regional bus company, liO).