(ANSA) - UDINE, 30 SET - Carinthia, the Austrian region bordering Friuli Venezia Giulia, will contribute to the development of the country's first Hydrogen Valley, part of the 3,300-km H2-South Corridor, which links North Africa to Germany via Italy and Austria. The news was reported today by Standortmarketing Kärnten—the organization responsible for Carinthia's regional marketing—in a written statement. The plan comprises 17 projects (5 in Carinthia, 6 in Styria, and 6 in Upper Austria) with a total investment of €578 million by 2030. Production capacity is expected to exceed 10,000 tons of green hydrogen per year, with demand projected to surpass 13,000 tons by 2028. Local infrastructure is advancing with KNG's Startnetz, which is set to be integrated into the national plan and the future European backbone. The Green Tech Valley Cluster comprises over 300 companies and research centers spanning the regions of Carinthia and Styria. "Green Tech Valley is an ecosystem where industry and research quickly bring technologies to market," said Bernhard Puttinger, CEO of the Green Tech Valley Cluster. "Access is straightforward and supported by tools and collaboration programs," said Andreas Duller, a representative of Standortmarketing Kärnten. (ANSA).