Riga, Sept 5 (LETA) - Hydrogen technologies should be implemented in critical and public urban infrastructure, such as hospitals, data centers and traffic control hubs, Riga Mayor Viesturs Kleinbergs (Progressives) said at the European Hydrogen Valleys Investment Forum 2025 in Riga.

According to the Riga City Council's External Communications Department, the European Hydrogen Valleys Forum took place in Riga on Thursday and Friday, bringing together more than 600 participants from Europe and around the world. The aim of the forum is to show how hydrogen technology can become a practical solution not only for energy, but also for transport, industry and the urban environment.

"Riga needs to combine green energy with digital transformation competences in its development. We are building a city where real-time data and digital twins help manage traffic, strengthen security and critical infrastructure, and hydrogen provides sustainable energy," said Kleinbergs.

In his view, hydrogen technology is not just a vision for the future, but the way forward for Riga, building a clean, smart and resilient city for its citizens.

In addition to the areas already mentioned, hydrogen can also be used in public buildings such as schools, municipal buildings and offices, where it can be combined with solar energy for a sustainable and uninterrupted electricity supply.

Riga is one of the 100 European Union cities that are part of the 100 Climate Neutral and Smart Cities mission and have committed to becoming climate neutral by 2030. The city is therefore acting as an innovation territory, testing solutions that can then be replicated by other European cities.

The Riga Digital Agency plays an important role in this area, developing and implementing solutions such as the digital twin of mobility, IoT systems, artificial intelligence tools for data analysis and critical infrastructure monitoring. These technologies allow real-time management of the city's traffic, energy flow and security systems, strengthening resilience to external shocks ranging from natural disasters to energy price fluctuations.