In a recent article at The Irish Examiner, Dr Rory Monaghan and Paul McCormack discussed hydrogen’s role in building a more resilient, secure and domestically produced energy system for Ireland and Europe, with SH2AMROCK seeking to connect Ireland’s renewable energy resources with sectors that have limited alternatives for decarbonisation. Explore the articles here.

Cherry Orchard Youth Service will represent Ireland at the Hydrogen Grand Prix in Switzerland this June after winning Ireland’s inaugural (H2GP). The Hydrogen Grand Prix is a global racing series aimed at developing the next generation of engineers and clean energy innovators. Through hands-on learning, students gain practical experience in renewable energy technologies while designing and racing hydrogen-powered cars. The winning team consisted of Jack O’Rourke, Kyan Rafter, Reece Appleby, Kyle Smullen and Nathan Byrne Organised by Kinia, the event took place at the National Arena on Thursday, April 23. The 3.5-hour endurance race was won by the ‘Handbrakers’, who completed 366 laps to claim victory. The event marked the culmination of a STEM education programme in which students designed, built and raced hydrogen-powered remote-control cars. Five teams from across the country qualified for the national final after winning their regional H2GP Sprint race. The Cherry Orchard group also claimed the Pitstop Award, recognising how quickly and efficiently teams refuel and return their car to the track. Dublin was also represented by ‘Ecomotion Donabate’ from Donabate Library, which received the Team Spirit Award for demonstrating exceptional sportsmanship, collaboration and resilience. Speaking at the event, Marianne Checkley, CEO of Kinia, said: “Today was a great success and we want to commend all the teams and their teachers. An incredible amount of time was put in from each team and they should all be very proud of their achievement of being involved in the first ever H2GP PRO national final. Massive congratulations to the Cherry Orchard Youth Service team, they did their youth service proud. The teamwork, collaboration, ingenuity and problem solving on display was very impressive and a huge amount of credit is due to the teacher/STEM officer and our Education team at Kinia, who provided support to each team right up to the final. We are very grateful to the Department of Transport for hosting us at the Logistics and Supply Chain Skills event. “A year ago, most of these young people had never heard of a fuel cell. Today, they are Ireland’s clean energy ambassadors. They won’t just be witnessing a digital and green transition, they’ll lead it.” .

The European Commission announced the nine hydrogen production projects that won the third auction of the European Hydrogen Bank (EHB), and the two winners of the EU H2 Maritime/Aviation Auction were again in Norway.

Frustrated by the outcome of the latest UN COP, 60 countries backed voluntary roadmaps to wean the world off coal, oil and gas, at the inaugural Conference on Transitioning away from Fossil Fuels, hosted by Colombia and the Netherlands. Activists, Indigenous leaders, scientists, and other experts gathered in Santa Marta to highlight the social and economic impacts of fossil fuels and ways to curb demand, discussing trade, debt, the dependence of producer countries on fossil fuel exports, and methods to reduce demand. The voluntary plans will form the bedrock of a new initiative to wean the world off coal, oil and gas, the focus of two days of intensive talks in Colombia on April 28-29, 2026.

Energy crises have a way of revealing truths that are easy to ignore in calmer times. When oil markets are stable and shipping lanes are open, the world convinces itself that fossil fuels are ‘cheap.’ But the moment a chokepoint closes, Russia invading Ukraine, or with the Strait of Hormuz, the illusion collapses. This is the moment when hydrogen’s value becomes unmistakable. In Ireland, where reliance on imported fossil fuels remains high, fluctuations in global oil and gas prices continue to affect everything from household energy bills to inflation, rising transport costs, and pressure on businesses. Amidst the “No Fuel, No Food” Protests and the Dáil discussing investment in renewable energy storage, will Hydrogen become Ireland’s Energy Safety Net?

Under the motto “An Autonomous Union. Open to the World,” Cyprus is developing its 2026 EU Council Presidency with a strong focus on strategic autonomy across transport, telecommunications, and energy. With new momentum behind hydrogen, electrification, and cross-border connectivity, the Presidency is positioning the EU to respond more decisively to geopolitical uncertainty while advancing competitiveness and resilience. As attention gradually shifts toward Ireland’s upcoming Presidency, how will these priorities evolve and translate into long-term action?

Ireland is set to take on a key leadership role in shaping European policy as it prepares to hold the Presidency of the Council of the European Union from 1 July to 31 December. 2026 will mark Ireland’s eighth time holding the Presidency, underscoring its active engagement with the European Union and its role in advancing cooperation among the EU. 

Shane Grogan of SH2AMROCKs partner Bord na Mona did an interview for the Irish National Broadcaster in which he explained how their projects plans to deploy hydrogen generated from wind power in public transport and industrial applications. He also mentioned Sh2AMROCK near the end of the broadcast. Youcan listen to the interview here Shane Grogan, Anailísí Tráchtála le Bord na Móna. – Adhmhaidin.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cVdRiXWNXuE Hydrogen is gaining momentum in Europe as a potential strategic energy carrier, and Ireland is stepping into the spotlight with its first hydrogen valley initiative – SH2AMROCK. In this episode of The EPRI Current, host Samantha Gilman speaks with Rory Monaghan from the University of Galway, Conor O’Dowd from the Port of Galway, and Maria Jaen from EPRI to discuss the vision behind SH2AMROCK and its role in reshaping Ireland’s energy landscape. The SH2AMROCK Project brings together public and private collaborators to deploy green hydrogen as part of the EU Horizon program for research and innovation. From digital twins to startup hubs, experts explore how hydrogen valleys can drive regional decarbonization and energy innovation. Learn how Galway’s unique geography, vibrant innovation ecosystem, and strong offshore wind potential make it an ideal launchpad for hydrogen infrastructure.

The World Hydrogen Technology Conference this year took place in Dublin at a particularly moment in Irish rush to clean energy and transport systems. Blue-tied Timmy Dooley, Irish Minister of State announced the long- awaited National Hydrogen Programme Taskforce, to push the Irish National Hydrogen Strategy, developed in 2023, to completion. Rory Monaghan, professor of Mechanical Engineering at Galway University (NUIG) and teaching at the the newly-created Energy Systems Engineering Degree and Masters programmes at NUIG, coordinator of the SH2AMROCK Hydrogen Valley project, sporting a blue tie as well, detailed the various concrete hydrogen production, distribution and application activities that SH2AMROCK will undertake in over three years, becoming first H2 Hub in Ireland. To ensure a coordinated cross-departmental approach to the development of the hydrogen sector in Ireland, the Taskforce will: 1. Develop the necessary legislation, regulatory and safety frameworks which could enable early hydrogen projects to progress; 2. Enhance knowledge, explore opportunities and provide further clarity on the role that hydrogen is likely to play in a future decarbonised integrated net zero energy system; 3. Put in place the necessary policies and frameworks to deliver:a) An early hydrogen innovation fund by 2027.b) Hydrogen end-uses in transport by 2030 in line with EU RED III requirements.c) Potential routes to market for up to 2 GW hydrogen production from offshore wind, to be in development by 2030. Especially sub action 12.1 of the Taskforce’s National Hydrogen Programme Implementation Plan, coordinated by Gas Networks Ireland, on an Agreement on Supply /Demand scenario’s out to 2050, completed end of December 2025, ties into SH2AMROCK’s ambition to create sustainable hydrogen use cases and business plans…..