ZAHYR sets the foundation for Bulgaria’s first hydrogen valley

The international ZAHYR – Zagora Sustainable Hydrogen Region project was officially launched at Trakia University in Stara Zagora on 25 March 2026. The large-scale initiative will establish the first integrated hydrogen valley in Bulgaria and one of the few of its kind in Central and Eastern Europe.

The international ZAHYR – Zagora Sustainable Hydrogen Region project was officially launched at Trakia University in Stara Zagora on 25 March 2026. The large-scale initiative will establish the first integrated hydrogen valley in Bulgaria and one of the few of its kind in Central and Eastern Europe. The consortium brings together nine partners with complementary roles across the full hydrogen value chain — from project coordination, production and storage to logistics, industrial use, training, communication, dissemination and exploitation.

The meeting was moderated by Saverio Costanzo, Chief Revenue Officer at Exogen Energy, and brought together representatives of Trakia University, the Bulgarian Hydrogen Association, industrial and technology partners, international organisations, as well as representatives of the municipalities of Stara Zagora and Karlovo.

The project is coordinated by Tertius Advisory GmbH, Austria, while Trakia University has a key role in activities related to production, industrial applications and training. Within ZAHYR, practical solutions for the use of clean hydrogen will be tested, including in logistics, university infrastructure and industrial processes.

By implementing the project, Stara Zagora is positioning itself as an important centre for energy transformation, innovation and new partnerships between science, business and public institutions. ZAHYR places the region on the map of European hydrogen initiatives and creates a foundation for practical solutions in the transition towards a low-carbon economy.