Wedoany.com Report-Sept. 24, A project at Zigljen Port on Croatia’s island of Pag is moving forward to advance wave energy for green hydrogen production under the North Adriatic Clean Hydrogen Investment Platform (NACHIP). The initiative, titled “Innovative Green Hydrogen Production from Wave Energy in Zigljen Port (Novalja),” is led by Leonitus and has a value of €5.4 million. It is the first project of its kind in Europe to be implemented within the NACHIP framework.

According to NACHIP, the system integrates submerged absorbers and dissipators that transform wave motion into compressed air and hydrogen with a total capacity of 1 MW. The design supports year-round production, with a focus on maintaining strong performance during winter months. A multifunctional breakwater is included to shield the port from erosion, while also incorporating solar generation, a sea vaporizer, and facilities for shellfish cultivation.

The project applies circular economy principles by relying on fully recyclable materials. The energy produced, along with distilled water, will be used for port operations and the surrounding community. Its objectives include reducing dependence on fossil fuels in coastal tourism and maritime transport, contributing to the local economy of Pag, and positioning Novalja as a model for replication across other Mediterranean regions.

Implementation is being carried out within the framework of the EU’s Interregional Innovation Investments (I3) instrument. NACHIP itself is a cross-border collaboration involving twelve partners from Slovenia, Croatia, and Italy’s Friuli Venezia Giulia region. The platform is coordinated by Slovenia’s Institut Jozef Stefan, with additional participants including META Group, META Circularity, FER Zagreb, Leonitus, Serichim, Faber, ECUBES, KSSENA, ETRA, DOK-ING, and the Municipality of Velenje.

The NACHIP program has a total budget of €10.5 million, co-financed by the European Union through the I3 Instrument and implemented by EISMEA under the European Regional Development Fund. Of this amount, €7.6 million comes from EU grants, covering approximately 70 percent of total expenses. Nearly 80 percent of the funding is directed toward hydrogen technology development and support for small and medium-sized enterprises in Eastern Slovenia as well as central and Mediterranean Croatia.

The program runs from September 2024 to August 2027, with the Zigljen Port project serving as one of its flagship initiatives. By combining wave and solar energy with hydrogen storage, the development underscores the role of innovative technology in advancing renewable energy solutions. It is expected to contribute to cleaner port operations, sustainable tourism, and regional resilience, while providing a framework for similar projects in other coastal areas.