The EU Innovation Fund recently announced the allocation of €4.8 billion to 85 innovative projects, with a significant focus on hydrogen initiatives. This marks the largest funding allocation since the fund’s establishment in 2020, bringing the total support to €12 billion and increasing the number of projects by 70%.
Jorgo Chatzimarkakis, CEO of Hydrogen Europe, expressed his enthusiasm for the European Commission’s commitment to supporting hydrogen projects. He highlighted the crucial role of hydrogen technologies in achieving decarbonization goals and emphasized the importance of enhancing Europe’s clean energy infrastructure. The quadrupling of funded electrolyser capacity demonstrates the Commission’s dedication to securing essential goods and boosting the competitiveness of Europe’s clean tech industry.
Among the awarded projects, 26 specifically focus on hydrogen technologies, representing 30% of the total projects. These include manufacturing projects deploying various electrolyser technologies such as PEM, alkaline, SOEC, and AEM. The projects are expected to generate 9.3 GW of electrolyser capacity, a significant increase compared to previous Innovation Fund projects.
The distribution of hydrogen projects spans across Europe, with countries like Belgium, Germany, Spain, and France among the recipients. Hydrogen Europe members are actively involved in nearly half of the awarded projects, showcasing their commitment to advancing hydrogen technologies.
The ETS Innovation Fund, with a €40 billion budget, is a leading funding program dedicated to low-carbon technologies. The next call for the Innovation Fund is set to be launched on December 3rd, along with the second Innovation Fund Auction (Hydrogen Bank).
The recent funding allocation highlights the growing importance of hydrogen technologies in Europe’s transition towards a sustainable and decarbonized future. As the continent continues to invest in innovative projects, the role of hydrogen in clean energy infrastructure is set to expand, driving further advancements in the sector.
