After the single authorization issued by the Zes, work can finally begin for the construction of the first Hydrogen Valley. Lamezia Terme will be the great protagonist of this very important project, which will see the light thanks to the collaboration of two thriving local companies: Teca Gas and Techfem SpA. The city of Piana itself will host the first of the 28 sites identified by the Government to obtain Pnrr funding for the development of the hydrogen supply chain in the South.
The Hydrogen Valley Lamezia Terme will be built in the abandoned area of the former Sir, the stage of an industrial dream that never took off, which thanks to this project will instead be able to redeem itself and represent a source of development for the entire territory.
Proposed by Teca Gas, it was designed and engineered by Techfem, a cutting-edge company with strong international experience and collaborations. Born in the Marche but also operational in Calabria for more than 15 years, thanks to the synergy with Calabrian universities it has allowed many young people to train and find work in their own region rather than being forced to seek their fortune in the North or abroad. And it is precisely in the 2024-2026 industrial plan that An increase in employment of approximately 50 more people is expected at the Lamezia headquarters.
The lawyer expressed great enthusiasm for the project that is about to begin. Paolo Mascaro, mayor of Lamezia Terme: «I express profound satisfaction for the release of the authorization by the ZES structure for the construction of the first Hydrogen Valley in Calabria – he said – this will allow the imminent start of works for an all-electric plant vanguard dedicated to the production of what promises to be the fuel of tomorrow: clean and sustainable energy. My satisfaction is amplified by the fact that the plant will be built in Lamezia Terme, in the industrial area, and will be built by a dynamic and innovative company from Lamezia like Teca Gas, in collaboration with another excellence of our city, Techfem, which he oversaw its design. Further PNRR funding will be invested in our city, thus making it a protagonist also in the ecological transition.”
The Lamezia plant will produce hydrogen (2MW), will have storage and compression areas (up to 220 barg), will be powered by a 461 kW photovoltaic park and will also have a loading bay available for filling cylinder trailers to transport hydrogen. Teca Gas, which already deals with LPG bottling, will expand its range of action. The ambitious objective of the project is to promote the local production and use of hydrogen in industry and transport, giving life to the Hydrogen Valley model already developed in some European Union countries.
«This initiative – explains the engineer. Federico Ferrini, CEO of Techfem – represents a significant step towards the ecological transition and sustainable development of the region. I think it is an important milestone that places Calabria at the forefront in the development of renewable energy and in the promotion of sustainable and innovative energy solutions.”
Engineer Pasquale Rocca of Teca Gas echoes him: «This project undoubtedly marks an important phase for our territory and we can only be extremely proud to take part in this small but great revolution».
The plant will be put into service by 30 June 2026. The project is financed under the National Recovery and Resilience Plan (PNRR), Mission 2 “Green revolution and ecological transition”, Component 2 “Renewable energy, hydrogen, grid and sustainable mobility”, investment 3.1 “Production in abandoned industrial areas”. This investment is supported by the European Union – NEXT Generation EU, based on the resources referred to in the executive decree of the Calabria Region n.73 of 01/05/2023.
Despite the initial success of Teca and Techfem, the transition to the hydrogen economy is complex. In Italy, companies face difficulties in obtaining authorizations to build plants and refueling stations due to an uncertain regulatory framework. This regulatory uncertainty, both at a national and local level, slows down times and increases the risk of delays in projects, compromising the timetables envisaged by the PNRR.
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