Get to know Europe's first Net Zero Valleys
As part of European Hydrogen Week, from 29 September to 3 October 2025 in Brussels, Europe's first two net-zero valleys will be presented: Lausitz and Northwest Lower Saxony and the Clean Energy Valley in Schlewsig-Holstein.
Networking evening: Meet key players
Germany Trade & Invest and AHK debelux welcomed nearly 150 guests in Brussels at a networking event filled with inspiring talks on NetZeroIndustry panels. On the sidelines of the European Hydrogen Week Belgian and German key players met for debate, networking and meaningful conversations — all centered around Europe's new hotspots for green industry: Clean Energy Valley Schleswig-Holstein, Net Zero Valley Lausitz, Net Zero Nordwest.
The European Hydrogen Week 2025 offered a great occasion to organise this exclusive evening networking reception alongside the official conference program. Policy makers, industry leaders from Belgium and Germany explored how regions are driving industrial transformation and creating prime opportunities for investment in hydrogen and other net-zero technologies.
Programme
5:45 PM Guest Registration and Networking
6:15 PM Welcome Remarks
Permanent Representation of the Federal Republic of Germany to the European Union
Julia Braune, CEO, Germany Trade & Invest
6:30 PM Moderated Talks and Insights
Margit Kunz, CEO, German-Belgian-Luxembourg Chamber of Commerce
- Region Brandenburg
Daniel Keller, Minister for Economic Affairs, Labour, Energy and Climate Action
- Region Saxony
Thomas Kralinski, State Secretary for Economic Affairs, Labour, Energy and Climate Action
- Region North Rhine-Westphalia and Schleswig-Holstein
Joschka Knuth, State Secretary Ministry for Energy Transition, Climate Protection, Environment and Nature Schleswig-Holstein
Elke Hohmann, Head of Project Development Zukunftsagentur Rheinisches Revier
- Region Lower-Saxony
Melanie Walter, Minister for Europe and Regional Development of Lower Saxony
7:00 PM Networking Reception
Download Programme Flyer
Lusatia: Europe's model region for clean technologies
Under the Net Zero Industry Act, specific regions in Europe are becoming hubs for green industry. The Lusatia region in eastern Germany is predestined to become the first of these so-called Net Zero Valleys.
The cleantech market is booming worldwide, with annual investments in the trillions. The EU is now massively expanding new production capacities for these clean technologies. And Lausitz has the potential to become the first hotspot of this industrial awakening. With 37 billion euros in public and private investment, it is already a model for structural change and a pioneer of the energy transition. Now it is on its way to becoming the first Net Zero Valley, where green industry will be established and expanded more quickly, better financed and supplied with labour.
NetZero Northwest Germany
The coastal region of Lower Saxony – from the Emsland to the Elbe-Weser area – is at an industrial policy turning point. The Valley ‘NetZero Northwest Germany’ has a unique combination of geostrategic advantages, available space, economic diversity and technological expertise. The seaports in the region not only serve as transshipment points for energy and industrial products, but also as logistical hubs for offshore wind energy and hydrogen imports. Among other things, the ‘Green Energy Hub’ in Wilhelmshaven is emerging as a central hub for green hydrogen, while climate-friendly lithium production is planned in Stade, the offshore industrial centre in Cuxhaven is being expanded, and Emden is becoming increasingly important as an energy port and ‘Green Port’.
Clean Energy Valley Schleswig-Holstein
Clean Energy Valley Schleswig-Holstein - the European region of the future for a sustainable, climate-neutral industry. The CEV SH is a model region with first-class infrastructure for renewable energy, sustainable innovations and green industry. Along this regional development axis, the particular strengths of the locations Brunsbüttel, Heide, Rendsburg, Neumünster and Kiel come together to expand and mutually reinforce their potential in close regional co-operation.
