SUBSCRIBE
PROFILE

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:

Subscribe for unlimited access to all the latest energy sector news.

Over 150 multisector articles and analyses every week.

For less than €3/week*

*For an annual commitment

*Engagement annuel à seulement 99 € (au lieu de 149 €), offre valable jusqu'au 30/07/2025 minuit.

SUBSCRIBE

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.

  • Popular on energynews.pro
ACEN reaches 2,100 MW of attributable renewable capacity in India
Funds Push European Carbon Positions to Highest Since April
OT Cyberattacks: Energy Sector Faces $329 Billion in Risks
An Elliott affiliate raises bid to $8.82bn for Citgo’s parent company
Surveys for Kazakhstan’s first nuclear power plant enter active phase
Endua secures $4.88mn funding to accelerate hydrogen electrolyser manufacturing
Endua, an Australian technology company, has received $4.88mn in public funding to strengthen its capacity to produce modular hydrogen electrolysers, supporting the expansion of local supply chains and industrial development within the hydrogen sector.
United States: HydrogenXT secures $900mn financing to launch ten hydrogen sites
HydrogenXT secures a $900mn agreement with Kell Kapital Partners Limited to develop the first ten local zero-carbon blue hydrogen plants along key logistics corridors in the United States.
Elogen delivers 2.5 MW electrolyser for CrossWind energy hub
Elogen completes delivery of a 2.5 MW proton exchange membrane electrolyser for the Baseload Power Hub, linked to the Hollandse Kust Noord offshore wind farm and operated by CrossWind joint venture.
FRV partners with Envision for a 500MW green ammonia project in Brazil
Fotowatio Renewable Ventures joins forces with Envision Energy for the H2 Cumbuco project, aiming for a 500MW green ammonia plant targeting Brazilian, European, and Asian markets.
Element 2 entrusts HRS with a new mobile hydrogen station for the Glasgow region
Element 2 strengthens its partnership with HRS to install a mobile hydrogen station in Glasgow, as part of its expansion strategy for its refuelling network in the United Kingdom and Ireland.
Allianz anticipates a hydrogen insurance market exceeding USD3bn by 2030
Global hydrogen development, supported by more than 1,500 ongoing projects and significant investments, is driving strong demand for insurance coverage, with potential estimated at over USD3bn in annual premiums by 2030.
ArcelorMittal Brazil launches innovative hydrogen project with Utility Global in Juiz de Fora
ArcelorMittal Brazil begins a collaboration with Utility Global to develop a clean hydrogen project using the patented H2Gen system, aimed at producing up to 3 tons per day at the Juiz de Fora plant.
ENERTRAG invests €300 mn in 130 MW green hydrogen site in Prenzlau
ENERTRAG announces the acquisition of a plot in Prenzlau to install a 130 megawatt green hydrogen production unit, with a planned investment of €300 mn, thereby supporting the regional economy and local industrial sector.
H2APEX raises EUR30mn to boost Lubmin hydrogen project and acquire HH2E Werk
H2APEX Group SCA has completed a EUR30mn ($32.5mn) capital increase to finance the acquisition of HH2E Werk Lubmin GmbH and support the development of its hydrogen project in Germany. —
Next Hydrogen launches Ontario’s largest onsite clean hydrogen refuelling station
Next Hydrogen launches the largest onsite clean hydrogen production and distribution station in Ontario, capable of supplying up to 650 kg per day for powering fuel cell forklifts.
Envision Energy launches the world’s first green ammonia marine bunkering in China
A 5,500-horsepower harbour vessel was bunkered with green ammonia at the Dalian terminal, marking the creation of a full value chain for this fuel and a technical milestone for the maritime sector.
Air Liquide invests over €500 mn in giant electrolyser in the Netherlands
Air Liquide begins construction of the ELYgator electrolyser in Rotterdam, a 200 MW project, supported by the Dutch government and an investment exceeding €500 mn.
German researchers test offshore green hydrogen production using raw seawater
A pilot project in Germany aims to produce green hydrogen at sea directly from untreated seawater on offshore wind farms, using marine bacteria and robust materials.
BP ends its involvement in the 26 GW AREH hydrogen project in Western Australia
BP withdraws from the Australian Renewable Energy Hub, a major renewable hydrogen and ammonia project in the Pilbara region, marking a new stage for energy investments in Australia.
Next Hydrogen secures CAD1.5mn financing to support its operations
Next Hydrogen raises CAD1.5mn from its management and a commercial lender to strengthen its cash flow and retain teams, while maintaining its review of financial and strategic solutions.
Lhyfe raises €2.5mn from citizens to support green hydrogen in Europe
The first European citizen funding campaign dedicated to green hydrogen enabled Lhyfe to collect €2.5mn from nearly 1,200 investors, strengthening the development of new sites in France and Germany.
The Future of Energy Flexibility: The Growing Role of Power-to-Hydrogen-to-Power (PtP) Technology
In the face of renewable energy intermittency, Power-to-Hydrogen-to-Power (PtP) technology could revolutionize energy storage. However, its adoption still depends on cost reduction and efficiency improvements.
South Korea’s YPP to invest up to $3.1B in green hydrogen production in Kazakhstan
South Korean company YPP and Kazakh Invest have signed a framework agreement for the development of a green hydrogen production project in Kazakhstan, with investments potentially reaching $3.1 billion.
HyCC secures Dutch subsidy for its 90 MW H2eron hydrogen project
The Dutch government has granted major funding to HyCC for its H2eron electrolysis project, aimed at producing renewable hydrogen in the Delfzijl industrial zone.
Saudi Arabia signs agreements to export green hydrogen and electricity to Europe
ACWA Power has signed several agreements with European partners to develop a green energy export chain between Saudi Arabia and Europe, as part of the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor project.
Consent Preferences