S'abonner

France reviews its hydrogen strategy to align the regulatory framework with market needs

Faced with structural challenges in the hydrogen sector, the French government is expected to announce a new roadmap on Thursday aimed at readjusting its regulatory framework and unlocking the necessary support for the industry.

Share:

The French government may present a new version of its hydrogen strategy on Thursday, according to a source close to the executive. This announcement comes amid stagnation in the sector, marked by insufficient demand and production costs that remain too high. The anticipated revision of the roadmap aims to address gaps in the regulatory framework and to adjust support mechanisms in order to revive industrial momentum.

A regulatory framework launched in 2020

The initial national strategy, introduced in 2020, was backed by €9bn in funding, partly from the France 2030 plan and supported by European funds. It aimed to structure a national hydrogen industry by focusing on electrolysis. This process, which allows hydrogen to be produced from water without emitting carbon dioxide, was intended to help decarbonise heavy industry. Several companies such as McPhy, Elogen, and Genvia entered the electrolyser manufacturing sector, but the lack of concrete projects is now limiting the industry’s growth.

Lack of clarity in implementation rules

Despite the original ambitions, the sector faces regulatory obstacles that hinder the development of production and applications. Industry stakeholders report persistent uncertainties regarding the allocation criteria for subsidies and compliance requirements for projects. Many investments are currently on hold pending clarification of rules and a precise timeline for support schemes.

Strong expectations from industry stakeholders

Players in the sector, particularly in transport, are calling for significant adjustments. Philippe Boucly, President of France Hydrogène, warned in January of the absence of institutional progress throughout 2024, noting that production support and strategy revision were still pending. Prime Minister François Bayrou is set to chair an interministerial innovation committee at the Centre Pompidou in Paris on Thursday, with hydrogen listed on the agenda. Industry stakeholders hope this meeting will result in concrete measures and a redefinition of the regulatory framework to secure ongoing projects and enable new developments.

  • Populaires ​
Donald Trump significantly increases US tax credits for carbon capture
Czech Republic hit by massive power outage disrupting the economy
EDF postpones Calvados wind farm to 2027 due to faulty drilling tool
France anticipates significant slowdown in emission reductions starting in 2025
Gabon reactivates deep offshore blocks to stem oil decline
Envision inaugurates the world’s largest green ammonia plant in China
Envision announces the official commissioning of the world's largest green hydrogen and ammonia plant in China, powered by an autonomous renewable energy system and entirely AI-driven, with exports planned from late 2025.
Sumitomo invests in Independence Hydrogen to accelerate production in the United States
Sumitomo Corporation announces a strategic investment in Independence Hydrogen aimed at developing new decentralized hydrogen production and distribution projects in the United States, targeting industrial, logistics and critical infrastructure sectors.
80 Mile increases its stake in Hydrogen Valley to 49% and signs an agreement with Tecnoparco
80 Mile announces that it has increased its stake in Hydrogen Valley to 49% and signed a memorandum of understanding with Tecnoparco for the supply of 40,000 tonnes of biofuel per year, aiming to reduce palm oil dependency.
Green ammonia: South Africa moves to execution phase of its largest project
The Hive Coega project, South Africa’s most ambitious green ammonia initiative, enters its operational phase with the release of tenders for essential infrastructure, marking a major step forward for the country in renewable energy production.
France: Court Approves Sale of McPhy to John Cockerill Hydrogen
The Belfort commercial court has approved the sale of McPhy to John Cockerill Hydrogen, a €600,000 transaction involving majority retention of staff and an industrial project partially funded by European subsidies.
Fresno joins First Public Hydrogen to develop municipal energy capacities
The City of Fresno becomes the latest member of First Public Hydrogen, the first US public authority dedicated to hydrogen development, thus strengthening its energy infrastructure and municipal bus fleet.
Natural hydrogen: France on the verge of redefining its national and European energy strategy
The official confirmation in June 2025 by the French government regarding the detection of significant natural hydrogen reserves in Lorraine, the Pyrenees, and Aquitaine could represent a major strategic turning point for national and European energy sovereignty. However, the technical, economic, and environmental challenges associated with its exploitation might slow its large-scale implementation.
Stanwell withdraws from CQ-H2 hydrogen project in Australia, impact on the sector
Stanwell announces the end of its participation in the Central Queensland Hydrogen Project, a major international hydrogen production initiative, raising questions about the sector's outlook in the region.
Lhyfe obtains the first European RFNBO certification for green hydrogen in France
Lhyfe becomes the first French producer to obtain European RFNBO certification, delivering the first batches of certified hydrogen and opening access to new support mechanisms for the industrial sector.
Finland: TES and CPC launch 500 MW e-NG project
Tree Energy Solutions and CPC Finland will produce 125,000 tonnes annually of e-NG at the Finnish port of Rauma, targeting European and international markets with a significant investment.
EU funds €3.5mn cross-border hydrogen infrastructure project
The European Commission grants €3.5mn to support preparatory work for a Franco-German cross-border network aimed at transporting hydrogen between the Grand Est region and Baden-Württemberg starting in 2029.
McPhy Energy faces judicial liquidation after reviewing submitted offers
French company McPhy Energy awaits a court decision regarding offers submitted during its judicial reorganization, paving the way for probable liquidation and potential delisting of its shares.
HyVera launches hydrogen on demand and plans two production sites
The majority-Indigenous-owned Canadian manufacturer HyVera Distributed Energy is introducing an eCat pellet that instantly produces ultra-pure green hydrogen without external electricity and is counting on two pilot plants to simplify industrial supply.
Underground Hydrogen Storage: High Costs and Technical Challenges Hamper Growth
Underground hydrogen storage, essential to support its growth, continues to face significantly higher costs than natural gas storage, along with major technical challenges hindering its competitiveness against conventional energies.
Hydrexia and Samator join forces for the Indonesian hydrogen market
Singapore-based hydrogen specialist Hydrexia seals a protocol with Indonesian gas giant Samator to deploy purification, transport and storage of hydrogen, betting on rapidly growing local demand and export outlets to the Asia-Pacific region.
Cadiz signs with Hoku Energy and targets $10mn annual revenues in California
Cadiz Inc. signs a memorandum of understanding with British company Hoku Energy for a large-scale energy project including green hydrogen, solar power, and digital infrastructure in the Californian desert, projecting annual revenues of up to $10mn.
BP suspends blue hydrogen project at Whiting, Midwest future uncertain
BP indefinitely halts its blue hydrogen project at the Whiting refinery in Indiana, raising questions about the future of federal funding and the impact on regional plans for a decarbonized hydrogen sector in the United States.
ORLEN Group secures €382 million for its hydrogen projects
The Polish energy group ORLEN receives a non-repayable grant of €382 million from the National Recovery Plan to finance its renewable and low-emission hydrogen production initiatives.
Georgia Power validates 50% hydrogen blend on gas turbine
Georgia Power and Mitsubishi Power announce successful completion of an unprecedented test incorporating 50% hydrogen into an advanced gas turbine, reducing CO2 emissions by 22% compared to natural gas alone.
Neoenergia begins construction of BRL30mn green hydrogen unit in Brazil
Neoenergia has begun construction of one of Brazil's first green hydrogen plants, aimed at supplying heavy and light vehicles, with an investment exceeding 30 million Brazilian reais ($5.99mn).

LEGAL

FOSSILS

POLICY

RENEWABLE

PLUS

© XMARKET PUBLISHING