Madrid Becomes the International Hub for Hydrogen Dialogue with HydrogenSphere 2026

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On 25 June, Madrid hosted HydrogenSphere 2026: Connecting the Global Hydrogen Ecosystem, an international event held at the WPP Campus on Ríos Rosas St. The conference ran from 9:00 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., bringing together key stakeholders from across the global hydrogen sector.

The event was co-organised by the International Hydrogen Fuel Cell Association (IHFCA), the Society of Automotive Engineers of China (China SAE), and the Spanish National Hydrogen Centre (CNH2), with the support of the Spanish Hydrogen Association (AeH2) and sponsorship from Mincatec Energy. Its main objective was to foster a practical dialogue on how to accelerate the transition of hydrogen from political ambition to large-scale industrial deployment.

Throughout the day, representatives from governments, international organisations, industry, investors, standardisation and certification bodies, and project developers discussed some of the most pressing challenges facing the global hydrogen market. Key topics included demand creation, project financing, the development of hydrogen hubs and industrial corridors, and regulatory and certification frameworks.

Among the distinguished international speakers were Jinhua Zhang, President of China SAE and Executive Vice President of IHFCA, together with representatives from organisations and companies including UNIDO, Repsol, Airbus, Clean Hydrogen, MOEVE, AeH2, EMT Madrid, ALSA, Dongfeng Motor, Chongyapower, Integral New Energy, DH2 Energy, Hydotech, the World Bank, Font Corporation, Técnicas Reunidas, the European Defence Fund, the Technical University of Madrid, and HyDeal.

The conference programme focused on strategic themes that will shape the future of the hydrogen sector, including the creation of scalable markets, project bankability, capital deployment, the development of industrial corridors and production facilities, and the establishment of robust regulatory frameworks, standards, and certification systems capable of supporting a trusted global hydrogen market.

The event also provided a platform for exchanging experiences on Hydrogen Valleys and industrial corridors, highlighting the challenge of connecting hydrogen supply and demand to foster the growth of the hydrogen economy. In addition, dedicated networking sessions encouraged collaboration between major international stakeholders, innovative SMEs, and emerging projects across the hydrogen ecosystem.

By co-organising the forum, the Spanish National Hydrogen Centre (CNH2) once again reinforced Spain’s position within the international conversation on hydrogen cooperation, investment, and technological deployment. The event concluded with closing remarks followed by a networking reception designed to promote new partnerships and collaborative opportunities among participants.

Beyond its institutional and business dimension, HydrogenSphere 2026 also proved to be a highly valuable event for the academic and technical community interested in energy, engineering, and sustainability. The conference enabled students, researchers, academics, and industry professionals to gain first-hand insight into emerging trends, the evolving needs of the hydrogen industry, and the priorities that will shape the energy transition in the years ahead.