24 juni 2025
At a landmark international conference in Abrantes, Portugal, Dr. Beata Kviatek called for urgent attention to governance as the decisive factor in realising the full potential of green hydrogen technologies in Europe’s emerging regions.
Abrantes, Portugal — 29 May 2025
Dr. Beata Kviatek, Jean Monnet Chair in Sustainable EU Economy and Project Leader of UNLOCK at Hanze University, delivered a standout presentation at the international conference “Médio Tejo: The Vision of an Emerging European Region,” held at the Museu de Arte Contemporânea Charters de Almeida in Abrantes. The forum underscored the growing prominence of green hydrogen in regional and EU-level agendas.
In her compelling session, titled “Green Hydrogen Governance in Emerging European Regions: Challenges and Opportunities,” Dr. Kviatek brought a critical perspective to the forefront: the success of green hydrogen is not merely a technological issue but a governance imperative.
“Green hydrogen holds tremendous promise,” Dr. Kviatek stated. “But only governance can make it a reality.”
Her presentation outlined a multi-layered governance framework tailored for regions aspiring to participate in the green hydrogen economy. Emphasising that poor governance can stall innovation while good governance can accelerate it, Dr. Kviatek stressed the need for clear regulatory standards, anticipatory legal frameworks, and inclusive stakeholder engagement. She argued that while SMEs are key innovation drivers, they face considerable legal and resource barriers—especially in emerging hydrogen valleys such as Médio Tejo.
Drawing on findings from the UNLOCK Project—a collaboration of nine partners across seven European regions—Dr. Kviatek advocated for harmonised regulation, coordinated regional policies, and transparent green certification standards. She warned of safety concerns, liability complexities, and regulatory mismatches that currently hinder deployment, especially in regions navigating early-stage green hydrogen projects.
Following her keynote, Dr. Kviatek joined a panel discussion on the international and European contexts of the green transition, where she further elaborated on the crucial role of governance. The panel also featured leading voices in the field, reinforcing that governance structures must evolve as rapidly as the technologies they seek to regulate.
The conference programme included a lineup of high-level speakers such as Eva Maydell (MEP), Ambroise Fayolle (Vice President, European Investment Bank), Jorgo Chatzimarkakis (CEO, Hydrogen Europe), and regional leaders from Portugal. Organised in cooperation with the Médio Tejo Intermunicipal Community, MT21 Agency, IrRADIARE, the Municipality of Abrantes, and the UNLOCK Project, the event highlighted Médio Tejo’s ambition to become a leading European hub for green energy innovation.
As Europe accelerates its green transition, Dr. Kviatek’s insights emphasised that aligning governance with innovation is not optional—it is essential. With the UNLOCK Project offering practical tools and policy support, the path forward for regions like Médio Tejo is clearer and more promising than ever.
