Whereas hydrogen infrastructure is expected to develop as national infrastructure, the role of regional and local authorities in the creation and development of a hydrogen economy should not be underestimated for three reasons. First, they can bring parties together and position the specific region as hydrogen hotspot. Second, they can create local demand through the public procurement of public transport services and/or maintenance vehicles, also in areas where there is no industrial demand for hydrogen (yet). Third, local and regional authorities can also play a role in system integration. This chapter investigates the role of regional and local authorities in creating and developing a hydrogen market and the limits thereof, using a comparative approach between two ‘hydrogen regions’, Groningen and Puglia (Apulia). Although Puglia adopted a formal legal instrument and Groningen rather depends on policy instruments, both regions have similar policy objectives and means, and both regions struggle with a lack of national legislation on hydrogen.

This chapter delves into evolving policy and regulatory dimensions shaping the emergence of hydrogen in the Latin American energy landscape. With a focus on three regional leaders – Chile, Colombia and Brazil – it explores the distinct strategic paths these countries are charting as they seek to position themselves in the burgeoning hydrogen economy. Chile, Colombia and Brazil, aiming to capitalize on their abundant (renewable) resources, have moved swiftly to outline ambitious hydrogen strategies and legislation. Despite this progress, as the chapter reveals, important regulatory challenges still limit their ability to fully tap the hydrogen well. Even as these obstacles persist, interest in hydrogen projects continues to soar, as exemplified by the numerous developed or in-development pilot projects pragmatically leveraging the existing frameworks. Ultimately, while clean hydrogen promises to usher in an era of sustainable development for Latin America, regulatory efforts matching policy ambitions will continue to be needed to successfully transition from promise to actual production.