Austria – 275 million euros for hydrogen – a clear commitment to industry, innovation and security of supply
Austria is launching the next phase of its hydrogen strategy. The goal is to position Austria as a central hub for green hydrogen in Europe – through targeted investments, clear legal frameworks, and a coordinated import strategy. The federal government is thus laying the foundation for a secure, competitive, and climate-friendly energy future.
Economics Minister Wolfgang Hattmannsdorfer, said:
Especially in challenging times, it is crucial to focus on the right future projects.
“Every investment in our location has a double return – it strengthens competitiveness, creates jobs, and makes us less dependent on energy imports. With today’s hydrogen investments, we are setting a milestone for Austria’s industrial future.While the EU is dividing almost one billion euros across 15 projects in five member states, Austria alone is investing 275 million euros in four national projects – that is emphatic location policy. We are demonstrating that we are at the forefront of Europe and actively shaping the industrial ramp-up.”
Hydrogen offensive: infrastructure, laws, investments
The ramp-up of the hydrogen economy is a key lever for the transformation of energy-intensive industries and a locational driver for research, technology and employment.
In recent months, the German Federal Government has laid the crucial foundations for moving the hydrogen economy from concept to implementation:
- Council of Ministers decision of 17 September 2025 : Start of the development of a national hydrogen import strategy to ensure future supply routes, partnerships and investment security and to strengthen international and European cooperation.
- Two new hydrogen regulations :
- Hydrogen Investment Grants Regulation – for the first time, 20 million euros in funding for electrolysis plants, currently being coordinated after review.
- Hydrogen Certification Regulation (WstVO) – implements EU requirements, creates legal certainty and eligibility for funding for green hydrogen.
- Hydrogen Promotion Act (WFöG) : 820 million euros for the period 2024–2026 to promote production, storage, and infrastructure; already implemented by the last federal government.
- New Gas Industry Act (GWG) : currently being drafted, with an implementation deadline of mid-2026 . It creates the legal framework for a national hydrogen start-up network and its integration into the European hydrogen network.
- Southern Corridor : The Southern Hydrogen Corridor is an infrastructure project of utmost geostrategic importance – and Austria is playing an active role in shaping it. The pipeline connecting North Africa via Italy and Austria to Central Europe is considered one of the EU’s priority hydrogen corridors. A joint declaration with Germany, Italy, Algeria, and Tunisia laid the foundation for bringing green hydrogen to Austria and Germany on an industrial scale by 2035.
Hattmannsdorfer, said:
With the Hydrogen Southern Corridor and clear framework conditions for storage, we are demonstrating that Austria is not only supporting the transformation, but is actively shaping it,
Four major projects as the first implementation step
Four key projects will receive funding totaling €274.8 million under the national funding scheme. The funding decision was made by the Ministry of Economic Affairs in October 2025, and the project is being implemented by Austria Wirtschaftsservice GmbH (aws).
The hydrogen economy in Austria already secures around 6,000 jobs, both directly and indirectly, in the planning, construction, and operation of plants. With the new projects, this employment effect will further grow and trigger additional investments in the country.
“Hydrogen is not a niche topic, but a key industrial policy for our future. With 275 million euros, we are investing specifically in domestic production, thereby creating jobs, independence, and future security. Our goal is clear: Austria should become Europe’s hydrogen hub . This will sustainably strengthen our industry, our research location, and our role in Europe,” emphasizes Hattmannsdorfer.
Advantages of hydrogen:
- High combustion temperature – indispensable wherever industrial processes require extreme heat, such as primary steel production.
- Indispensable raw material – for the chemical, plastics and mineral oil industries as well as fertilizer production.
- Hydrogen brings flexibility to the energy system – hydrogen can be stored for long periods and fed back into the grid when needed. At the same time, it relieves grid pressure when there is too much electricity on the market (hydrogen requires a lot of electricity, so electricity can be drawn from the grid in case of overproduction, which means load flexibility).
This makes it clear: hydrogen is not just an alternative, but a complement to electricity .
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Austria – 275 million euros for hydrogen – a clear commitment to industry, innovation and security of supply, source
