TotalEnergies CEO skeptical about the rapid growth of green hydrogen

At the World Economic Forum in Riyadh, Patrick Pouyanné, CEO of TotalEnergies, criticized the current development of green hydrogen as still at an "embryonic stage", and promoted biofuels as a priority solution for reducing emissions.

Share:

PDG TotalEnergies hydrogène vert

Comprehensive energy news coverage, updated nonstop

Annual subscription

8.25$/month*

*billed annually at 99$/year for the first year then 149,00$/year ​

Unlimited access • Archives included • Professional invoice

OTHER ACCESS OPTIONS

Monthly subscription

Unlimited access • Archives included

5.2$/month*
then 14.90$ per month thereafter

FREE ACCOUNT

3 articles offered per month

FREE

*Prices are excluding VAT, which may vary depending on your location or professional status

Since 2021: 35,000 articles • 150+ analyses per week

Patrick Pouyanné, CEO of TotalEnergies, explicitly marked green hydrogen as “at an embryonic stage”, disputing the optimistic objectives of the European Union, which suggests an annual production of 20 million tonnes by 2030. He recommended that we “recognize that we’re only at the beginning, and stop aiming for figures like 10 or 20 million tonnes”. A recent study by the French Atomic Energy Commission (CEA) predicted an industrial demand of just 2.5 million tonnes of low-carbon hydrogen per year by 2030.

Current technological limitations

The world’s largest electrolyzer, to be deployed in China in July 2023, has a capacity of 260 MW capable of producing 20,000 tonnes of low-carbon hydrogen per year, but it’s an exception, as Pouyanné pointed out: “One, not ten, just one”. He stressed the youth and high cost of electrolyser technology, adding that it is impractical to reduce the costs of green hydrogen as long as it remains a niche market.

A plea for biofuels

For Patrick Pouyanné, producing green molecules from biomass biofuels is the most effective strategy to date. He also argued that for sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), it’s better to rely on biomass rather than turning to green hydrogen to produce e-fuels. “Let’s give priority to biofuels, there’s a lot to be done and it’s working,” he pleaded, highlighting the current practicality and efficiency of biofuels compared to green hydrogen.

By underlining the challenges of green hydrogen and highlighting biofuels, Patrick Pouyanné of TotalEnergies highlights the need to adapt renewable energy strategies to current technological and economic realities, while actively exploring immediately applicable solutions.

Vema Hydrogen has been named a qualified supplier by the First Public Hydrogen Authority to deliver clean hydrogen at industrial scale to California’s public and private infrastructure.
Le groupe français HRS a signé une commande pour la livraison d'une station hydrogène haute capacité, renforçant sa présence dans un réseau en expansion à l’échelle européenne.
With a $14mn investment, Enap progresses on the construction of its first green hydrogen plant, expected to be operational in early 2026 in the Magallanes region of southern Chile.
Plug completed the first delivery of 44.5 tonnes of hydrogen for the H2CAST project in Germany and secured a new contract for an additional 35 tonnes, confirming its logistical capabilities in the European market.
Gushine Electronics has opened a lithium battery plant in Vietnam, with an estimated annual production value of $100 mn, marking a new phase in the international deployment of its industrial capacities.
Indonesian nickel producer Anugrah Neo Energy Materials plans a $300mn IPO in December to finance its growing battery materials operations.
Sultan Qaboos University announces a breakthrough in water electrolysis using new rare-metal catalysts, improving production efficiency by more than 30%.
Standard Lithium a sécurisé $130mn via une émission d’actions ordinaires pour financer ses projets d’extraction de lithium en Arkansas et au Texas, consolidant sa position sur le marché nord-américain des métaux stratégiques.
Asset manager Quinbrook expands its North American portfolio with a first Canadian investment by acquiring a strategic stake in developer Elemental Clean Fuels.
Lhyfe commissions a 10 MW site in Schwäbisch Gmünd, its first in Germany, to supply RFNBO-certified green hydrogen to industrial and heavy mobility clients.
Brookfield will invest up to $5 billion in Bloom Energy's fuel cells to power future artificial intelligence factories, initiating the first phase of a dedicated global digital infrastructure strategy.
Metacon acquired components from the bankruptcy estate of Hynion Sverige AB for SEK3.5mn ($320,000), aiming to support its hydrogen refuelling station projects in Sweden.
The United Kingdom has carried out its first real-life trial of green hydrogen blending into the national gas transmission network, with power generation as a result.
Swedish company Liquid Wind has secured €3.6mn in public funding for the engineering phase of its eMethanol plant, integrated into a biomass-fuelled cogeneration site.
The Japanese industrial group will replace a 73.5 MW coke and gas-fired turbine with a 30 to 40 MW hydrogen-ready unit, scheduled to start operations in 2030 with ¥7.1bn ($47mn) in public support.
A two-year project aims to identify areas in Texas suitable for natural hydrogen exploitation, despite challenges related to infrastructure, public policy and economic viability.
Plug Power has announced the appointment of Jose Luis Crespo as President effective October 10, before assuming the role of Chief Executive Officer once the company publishes its annual report, expected in March 2026.
Plug Power finalised a deal with an institutional investor to raise $370mn through the immediate exercise of warrants, with the possibility of securing an additional $1.4bn if new warrants are exercised.
Air Liquide announces a $50mn investment to strengthen its hydrogen network on the US Gulf Coast, following long-term contracts signed with two major American refiners.
Global demand for industrial gases will grow on the back of hydrogen expansion, carbon capture technologies, and advanced use in healthcare, electronics, and low-carbon fuel manufacturing.

All the latest energy news, all the time

Annual subscription

8.25$/month*

*billed annually at 99$/year for the first year then 149,00$/year ​

Unlimited access - Archives included - Pro invoice

Monthly subscription

Unlimited access • Archives included

5.2$/month*
then 14.90$ per month thereafter

*Prices shown are exclusive of VAT, which may vary according to your location or professional status.

Since 2021: 30,000 articles - +150 analyses/week.