Project
Hydrogen highway - H2HW4
Project sponsors
The main goal of the Hydrogen highway - H2HW4 -project was to strengthen the readiness of companies in the Jyväskylä and Central Finland region to utilize the business potential related to hydrogen use in transportation. The project produced foresight information for energy companies, industry, logistics operators, and transport companies, and identified competence needs for expanding the use of hydrogen as a transport fuel. In addition, the project mapped the interest of energy companies and industry in hydrogen production and use.
The project was implemented at Jamk University of Applied Sciences, Institute of New Industry from June 1, 2024 to June 30, 2025, co-funded by the European Union and supported by the cities of Jyväskylä and Äänekoski. The project organized workshops, thematic interviews, networking events, and webinars, engaging a wide range of local companies and stakeholders. Results were actively shared through various channels and events.
The project promoted Central Finland's position in hydrogen economy development and supported both national and EU-level strategies. It enabled concrete actions to reduce road transport emissions and advance carbon neutrality. Companies gained readiness and information for future investments, such as acquiring hydrogen vehicles and utilizing hydrogen refueling stations.
Despite the short duration of the project, which brought its own challenges, alternative sources of information were successfully utilized and high-quality results were achieved.
Central Finland has strong potential to become a pioneer in the hydrogen economy. Hydrogen offers significant opportunities, especially for heavy transport, but development is hindered by high costs, market price uncertainty, and a lack of expertise. Growth requires broad cooperation, competence development, and achieving a competitive price. The hydrogen economy provides the logistics sector with opportunities to reach carbon neutrality targets and to develop new business models. The region's companies have gained readiness and information for future investments, such as acquiring hydrogen vehicles and utilizing hydrogen refueling stations.
In the City of Jyväskylä's ecosystem agreement, renewing industry is another strategic focus area. In accordance with the ecosystem agreement, industrial renewal through RDI activities promotes the creation of new business and the introduction of low-carbon and resource-wise production solutions. The aim of Central Finland's renewing industrial ecosystem is to act as an active participant in the development of the national and international industrial environment. The hydrogen ecosystem has emerged as an important new topic serving industrial renewal.
Further information: https://www.jamk.fi/vety
Further information
Kati Valpe-Ojala
Project Manager
+358 50 471 6888
Institute of New Industry
School of Technology
Jamk University of Applied Sciences
(updated October 30, 2025)
Project results
Key results
- Companies' expertise and readiness to utilize hydrogen increased significantly.
- Up-to-date foresight information was produced on the possibilities, technologies, and market development of hydrogen use in transportation.
- Networking and information exchange between regional and national actors was strengthened.
- Feedback from workshops and events was highly positive, and participants found the events useful.
- Quantitative targets were exceeded in almost all areas, and the project generated added value in the form of new business opportunities and increased competence.
- New cooperation agreements and ecosystems emerged during the project, such as the H2 Innovation Alliance, which brings together public and private sector actors to develop a hydrogen-focused RDI ecosystem.
- The project results are utilized in follow-up projects and in the normal operations of the implementing organization.
- Results are publicly available on Jamk's website: jamk.fi/vety