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Abstract
Energy transition in Slovakia requires streamlining, particularly due to its below the EU-27 average level of renewable energy sources (RES) within its energy mix (Eurostat, 2023). Beyond traditional RES such as solar and wind, hydrogen has become increasingly recognised in energy transition debates, as it can support both environmental objectives (emission reduction) and economic goals (enhanced competitiveness).Hydrogen development in Slovakia first appeared in the initial draft of the National Energy and Climate Plan (NECP) in late 2019. Following updates and recommendations from the European Commission, the final NECP adopted in March 2025 emphasised expanding hydrogen use in the energy sector (Ministry of Economy of the Slovak Republic, 2025). In parallel, the National Energy Strategy introduced in 2021 outlined hydrogen’s potential applications across economic sectors and proposed production incentives. Currently, hydrogen production in Slovakia is dominated by “grey” hydrogen, produced from fossil fuels, and “blue” hydrogen, which uses similar processes combined with CO₂ capture or utilisation (Sinay et al., 2021). As part of the energy transition, both forms are intended to be transformed into “green” hydrogen, produced via water electrolysis powered by renewable electricity (Sinay et al., 2021). Green hydrogen is expected to be deployed in sectors such as heating, transport, and the gas industry. These ambitions were further reaffirmed in the 2023 Action Plan, which proposed governance measures including quadruple-helix coordination among government, municipalities, industry, academia, and civil society, as well as a dedicated ministry-level coordination unit (Ministry of Economy of the Slovak Republic, 2023). However, frequent government changes and the broader EU polycrisis have reduced the political priority of hydrogen policy, leaving its current status uncertain. Additionally, limited research exists on the implementation of hydrogen policy at the sub-national level and the role of non-state actors.
To address this gap, the proposed research will analyse the development of Slovak hydrogen policy and its multilevel governance using two complementary methods: document analysis and semi-structured interviews. It is guided by three research questions: (1) What policy steps have Slovak governments taken to advance hydrogen strategy since 2019? (2) How does multilevel governance shape its policy implementation? (3) What role do subnational actors play in hydrogen policy delivery?
The document analysis will examine the final NECP, strategic documents of the Ministry of Economy, relevant legislation, and municipal case studies of Bratislava and Trnava. These cities are notable for operating hydrogen buses since 2023, as well as hosting Slovakia’s first green hydrogen plant and filling station (built in 2022 in Trnava). Documents from 2019–2025 will undergo qualitative content analysis using inductive and deductive coding.
The second method involves semi-structured interviews with representatives from the Ministry of Economy, municipalities, civil society, and key industry stakeholder, Slovenské elektrárne, which operates a major photovoltaics plant generating electricity for the green hydrogen production in Trnava. Interview transcripts will also be qualitatively analysed to assess policy perceptions and related governance dynamics. Overall, the research aims to evaluate the current state of Slovak hydrogen policy and the governance challenges hindering its advancement.
