The European Commission has selected nine hydrogen production projects under the third auction of the European Hydrogen Bank, awarding a total of EUR 1.09 billion (USD 1.28bn) to initiatives expected to deliver nearly 1.1 GW of electrolyser capacity and more than 1.3 million tonnes of hydrogen over their first 10 years of operation.
The financing, drawn from the Innovation Fund and sourced from the EU Emissions Trading System, will be shared out among initiatives in seven European Economic Area countries. The selected projects will help reduce emissions from energy-intensive industries, such as transport and chemicals, and are estimated to avoid 9 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent in greenhouse gas emissions.
The third auction closed in February after attracting 58 bids from 11 countries -- more than six times the available budget. The tender expanded on previous rounds by including electrolytic low-carbon hydrogen for the first time, alongside a dedicated topic for hydrogen producers supplying the maritime and aviation sectors.
Upon signing the respective grant agreements, expected in the fourth quarter of 2026, the successful projects will receive a fixed premium of between EUR 0.57 and EUR 3.49 per kilogramme of certified and verified hydrogen produced, for a maximum period of 10 years. The initiatives will have to reach financial close within two and a half years of grant signature and enter into operation within five years.
The EC funds will be complemented by national contributions. Germany will support RFNBO hydrogen production with up to EUR 1.3 billion, while Spain will contribute up to EUR 440 million. (May 7, 2026, Source: https://renewablesnow.com/news/nine-projects-to-share-eur-1-1bn-in-eus-third-hydrogen-auction-1294316/)
EUROPE - GREENH2 - PRODUCTION - SUPPLY IMPORT EXPORT