Hydrogen Valleys & Industry Forum 2027

16 February 2027 | Riga, Latvia

Joint Event of LACISE, H2VE, H2Value, Green Hydra and CERITA

About the Forum

The Hydrogen Valleys & Industry Forum 2027 will bring together representatives from industry, academia, vocational education and training, policymakers and European projects to exchange knowledge and explore opportunities for advancing the hydrogen ecosystem. Through industry perspectives, panel discussions, networking and technical visits, the event will address key challenges and opportunities related to hydrogen innovation, skills development and regional cooperation.

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Hydrogen Valleys & Industry Forum 2027 – Save the date

Event Programme

Coming soon. The detailed programme of the Forum will be announced shortly.

Draft programme – subject to change. 16 February 2027, Riga, Latvia.

Morning

09:00 – 09:05

Welcome address
Moderator introduction to the Forum

09:05 – 09:10

Welcome address
LU Vice-Rector

09:10 – 09:15

Welcome address
Minister of Economy of the Republic of Latvia

09:15 – 09:25

Keynote
Miguel Lopez, Chair of Board of Directors, Hydrogen Europe

09:25 – 09:35

Keynote
Dr. Tilman Schildhauer, Senior Scientist Thermochemical Processes, Paul Scherrer Institut, Switzerland

09:35 – 09:45

Keynote
Māris Vainovskis, Senior Partner, Evershed Sutherland

09:45 – 10:30

Panel discussion
Beata Grota, Member of the Board of Directors, Hydrogen Europe, Robert Bosch
Dr. Tilman Schildhauer, Senior Scientist Thermochemical Processes, Paul Scherrer Institut, Switzerland
Gunārs Valdmanis, Director of Energy Market Department, Ministry of Climate and Energy of Latvia
Carmen Font, Chair of the Clean Fuels and Hydrogen Group and CEO of Font Corporation
Moderator: CFI representative or Pēteris Lesničenoks

10:30 – 10:50

Break
Group photo and coffee

10:50 – 11:50

Industry pitches
NACO, ProtiumTech, Connexus and more
Moderator: Vita Brakovska

11:50 – 12:35

Panel discussion
H2Value, Latvian Hydrogen Association, Aivars Starikovs
HyAirport, Riga Airport, Mārtiņš Grels
Latvenergo, Pēteris Lesničenoks
Green Hydra stakeholder (TBD)
Moderator: Vita Brakovska

12:35 – 13:30

Networking lunch
Industry and project exhibition

Afternoon: Technical visits

13:30 – 13:45

Walk to the HRS

13:45 – 15:00

Drive to Jelgava

15:00 – 15:30

Visit of H2Value HRS

15:30 – 16:30

Technical visit
To be confirmed

TBC

Return to Riga

Evening

19:00 – 22:00

Networking dinner
Project partners and invited stakeholders

Speakers

Coming soon. Speakers will be announced shortly.

Speaker photo

Speaker name

Position, Organisation

Speaker photo

Speaker name

Position, Organisation

Speaker photo

Speaker name

Position, Organisation

Projects behind the Forum

LACISE is a Swiss-Latvian Cooperation Programme project advancing sustainable energy through applied research, innovation and knowledge transfer. The project focuses on hydrogen production technologies, advanced battery materials, AI-driven solutions and optimisation tools for smart power grids, while also promoting STEM education and public engagement.

H2VE (Hydrogen Centres of Vocational Excellence) is a European project focused on developing vocational excellence in the hydrogen sector. The project brings together education and training providers, industry partners and research organisations to create innovative learning programmes, support workforce development and address emerging skills needs across the hydrogen value chain.

H2Value is a European cooperation project focused on strengthening the green hydrogen value chain in Estonia and Latvia. The project supports small-scale green hydrogen production using solar energy and biomass, the development of hydrogen refuelling infrastructure and the use of hydrogen as a zero-emission fuel for transport. It also promotes interregional cooperation, innovation and investment to accelerate the development and uptake of green hydrogen solutions.

Green Hydra is a European cooperation project dedicated to advancing hydrogen-related policy development and regional collaboration. The project facilitates knowledge exchange among regions, supports the integration of hydrogen into regional development strategies, and strengthens cooperation between policymakers, industry and innovation stakeholders to accelerate the deployment of clean hydrogen technologies.

CERITA (Circular Economy for Riga and Tartu Waste Management Facilities) is a European cooperation project focused on transforming waste management through circular economy principles and hydrogen-based solutions. Bringing together partners from Latvia, Estonia, Lithuania and the Netherlands, the project promotes international collaboration and the development of tailored, sustainable solutions for waste management facilities in Riga and Tartu.