Three leading hydrogen bodies have joined forces to drive sector growth through a coordinated conference programme pushing for hydrogen deployment at scale.
Hydrogen Scotland, Hydrogen Ireland (H2Irl), and the Hydrogen Energy Association (HEA) announced an alliance today as part of an effort for accelerating growth, strengthening energy security, and advancing a connected clean‑energy system across the UK and Ireland and into Europe.
After collaborating on the State of the Hydrogen Nation report, spearheaded by the HEA in 2025, the trio have now planned three flagship conferences sharing a single, forward‑looking vision for the role of hydrogen across the UK and Ireland, a vision built on energy security, innovation, competitiveness, and leadership.
Paul McCormack, CEO of Hydrogen Ireland, said: “Across the UK and Ireland, hydrogen represents one of the most significant clean‑energy opportunities of this generation.
“Each nation brings distinct strengths world‑class offshore wind, engineering excellence, industrial capability, academic leadership, and a rapidly growing innovation ecosystem.
“Together, these strengths form a powerful collective platform for hydrogen deployment at scale.”
The HEA kicks off the conferences in Westminster with its event The HEA Annual Conference 2026: UK Growth, Energy Security and Decarbonisation taking place in the at the IET’s Savoy Place on July 9 2026.
CEO of the HEA, Dr Emma Guthrie said: “Hydrogen is no longer a future ambition – it is a present opportunity that demands coordinated action.
“Across the UK and Ireland, we have the resources, expertise and industrial capability to lead, but real progress depends on alignment – between nations, between sectors and between policy and delivery.
“This collaboration between Hydrogen Scotland, Hydrogen Ireland and the HEA reflects a shared commitment to move at pace, unlock investment and build a truly connected hydrogen system.
“By bringing these conversations together through our 2026 conference series, we are creating a platform to turn ambition into deployment and position these islands at the forefront of the global hydrogen economy.”
On October 6, the Hydrogen Scotland Conference 2026: From Supply to Demand takes place at the Hilton Hotel in Glasgow, showcasing the projects, technologies, and people shaping Scotland’s hydrogen leadership.
CEO of Hydrogen Scotland Nigel Holmes said: ““Our three associations share a single, forward‑looking vision for the role of hydrogen across the UK and Ireland. This includes a hydrogen-enabled energy system that integrates electricity, mobility, industry, and digital infrastructure to deliver reliable, low‑carbon energy across regions and sectors.
“We would like to see a European‑facing hydrogen region capable of providing world‑class expertise into global markets.
“By aligning national conversations and regional strengths, our three associations are shaping a coherent hydrogen pathway that supports economic growth, industrial competitiveness, and long‑term decarbonisation.”
The final conference – The Hydrogen Ireland (H2Irl) Conference 2026 – H₂SUMMIT – will be held from November 18 to 19, 2006 at Fota Island Resort, Cork with the theme Hydrogen for Energy, Industry and Data Resilience in a Connected Europe.
The three events tie in with the fact that from July 1 to December 31, 2026, Ireland will assume the Presidency of the Council of the European Union (EU), offering a strategic opportunity for hydrogen leadership and a timely platform to elevate the role of hydrogen within Europe’s wider clean‑energy transition.
Mr McCormack said: “This Presidency creates a unique opportunity for the home nations to align their hydrogen ambitions with emerging European priorities on energy security, industrial competitiveness, digital resilience, and climate action.
“Together, our three associations can demonstrate how coordinated hydrogen leadership across these islands contributes to Europe’s broader clean‑energy and industrial transformation.
“Hydrogen offers a route to connect these opportunities, turning renewable abundance into economic advantage, turning innovation into deployment, and turning regional strengths into a shared clean‑energy future.”
