The HySoW project, a lever for the energy transition in France

Hydrogen is an energy solution of the future according to the barometer "The French and hydrogen", with the HySoW project making it more accessible at competitive costs. Concerns remain about independence and energy transition, requiring greater public investment.

Share:

The results of the latest barometer “The French and hydrogen”, conducted by Terega in partnership with Harris Interactive, show that the French see hydrogen as a future energy solution.

The HySoW project: a 600 km infrastructure to make hydrogen more accessible and reassure France’s energy independence

This is largely due to the HySoW project, which consists of a 600 km infrastructure linking the South West region of France to the H2Med project. This infrastructure will make hydrogen more accessible at competitive costs, which is all the more important in a context of energy crisis.

However, the results of the barometer also show that the French are increasingly worried about their rising energy bills, with nearly half of them experiencing payment difficulties. They are also concerned about France’s energy independence and the energy transition, with a perception that has deteriorated over the past 2 years.

Only 38% of French people believe that France is energy independent, while only 41% think that the French energy mix contains enough renewable energy.

The HySoW project as a lever to accelerate the transition to a more decarbonized energy

Despite these concerns, hydrogen is still seen as an energy of the future, particularly because of its “clean” nature and its usefulness in reducing carbon emissions. The French believe that the development of hydrogen research is important to strengthen France’s energy independence and avoid the risk of shortages. However, only 37% of them consider that public investments in this area are sufficient.

To accelerate the transition to a more decarbonized energy, Terega is launching the HySoW project, which consists of an infrastructure for the transport and storage of renewable, low-carbon hydrogen in southwest France. This project is a candidate for the label of Project of Common Interest under the new EU Trans-European Energy Networks Regulation. It will allow the transport of 16 TWh/year of carbon-free hydrogen throughout the South-West, thus contributing to the security of supply of the entire energy system.

In short, hydrogen is increasingly perceived as a future energy solution by the French, but concerns remain about France’s energy independence and the energy transition. Greater public investment could help boost French confidence in this energy solution. The HySoW project represents an important lever to accelerate the energy transition towards a more decarbonized energy and to respond to current energy challenges.

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 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 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.
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.
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.
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.
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 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 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.
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.
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.
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.
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, 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.
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 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 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.
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 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 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).