EDP leads discussions on the future of renewable hydrogen in Asturias
The EDP pavilion at the Asturias International Trade Fair (FIDMA) was today the venue for the ‘Asturias en clave H₂’ (Asturias in H₂ terms) meeting, a round table that brought together key representatives from the renewable hydrogen ecosystem to discuss its role in the future of energy, industry and employment in Asturias.
Entitled ‘Asturias in H₂ terms: The potential of renewable hydrogen in industry and employment’, the event was attended by experts from companies representing the entire hydrogen value chain, such as Gerardo Bohigues from Hy5; Maite García from Zabala Innovation Spain; Nicanor Acebal from Nortegas; Fernando Fernández from Tudela Veguín; José Corral from Tresca Ingeniería; and Rafa Cabañeros representing EDP.
During the session, crucial issues were addressed, among them the competitiveness of green hydrogen, the regulatory frameworks necessary for its promotion, public-private collaboration, and its direct impact on Asturias' industrial fabric. The speakers agreed that Asturias has a strategic position and technical capabilities to lead the development of this energy vector in Spain.
Rafa Cabañeros, Project Director of EDP's Hydrogen Unit in Spain, highlighted that "until now, project capital expenditure has been supported through funding from various national and European administrations (IPCEI, PERTE, IF, etc.), in which EDP has achieved success thanks to the maturity and technical quality of its projects."
Gerardo Bohigues, from Hy5, said that "we see green hydrogen as a vital component for producing other molecules such as methanol, ammonia for the maritime sector, and SAF for aviation. We see a value chain beyond hydrogen itself that can help decarbonise many other sectors. ” Maite García, from Zabala Innovation Spain, highlighted EDP's Asturias H2 Valley project, in which "a single ecosystem brings together a group of agents that want to work together. This has been a distinguishing factor. The progress of projects here is not the result of chance, but rather the work and motivation of companies such as EDP".
"We need to be energy independent from other countries and hydrogen gives us the tools to achieve that," José Corral of Tresca Engineering pointed out. Meanwhile, Nicanor Acebal, from Nortegas, has stated that "hydrogen must be developed close to production, and therefore it is necessary to build valleys that favour this, i.e. located where there is potential for consumption". Fernando Fernández, from Tudela Veguín, expressed the point of view of the European cement industry, assuring that "the use of alternative fuels and hydrogen to make it marketable is the way to go for everyone, given the particular characteristics of the sector, in order to contribute to decarbonisation."
One of the main conclusions of the meeting was the need to activate regulatory mechanisms at European level to promote the consumption of renewable hydrogen, such as requiring its use in maritime transport to Europe or in agricultural production for the sale of food in Europe. Likewise, competitive electricity costs must be guaranteed for the production of renewable hydrogen in Spain, especially in comparison with other European countries. In July 2025, electricity costs in Spain exceeded those in France by more than 100% and those in Germany by more than 50%, due to high balancing service costs, tolls, and taxes.
The occasion reaffirmed the commitment of EDP and its partners to the energy transition and sustainable development of Asturias, with a focus on hydrogen as a key solution for decarbonising industry and generating quality employment.
