The University of Galway plays a central role in SH2AMROCK as the leading institution, and the coordination team at the University of Galway is expanding. We are pleased to formally introduce our Project Manager, Dr Luis Miguel Blanes Restoy. 

Our partners HIVE Hydrogen and HyEnergy Consultancy Limited were selected to provide support to the Department of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment (DETE) and the Department of Transport (DOT Ireland) , over the past 12 months, developing 2 reports, respectively led by Cian Moran and Josh Williamson

SH2AMROCK’s project manager, Luis Miguel Blanes Restoy, and Júlia Machado, were invited to join the Galway welcoming committee receiving the Estonian delegation, including James Sherry (the Irish Ambassador to Estonia) and Kairi Künka (the Estonian Ambassador to Ireland).

🌍 🎻 CULTÚR 2026 is launched! More than 400 artistic projects, a €6.5 million investment in Irish culture and six months of exhibitions, concerts, performances and events across Ireland and Europe from July to December! This is CULTÚR 2026: SHARING IRELAND’S CULTURE, the official cultural programme for Ireland’s Presidency of the Council of the European Union, launched on June 18th by the Department of Culture, Communications and Sport.

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?