The future of hydrogen in Europe
The European Climate, Infrastructure and Environment Executive Agency (CINEA) will now begin formal grant agreement preparations with the nine selected projects, with signatures expected in the final quarter of 2026.
Selected projects must reach financial close within two and a half years of signing and enter operation within five years, backed by a completion guarantee to the Commission.
Wopke Hoekstra, Commissioner for Climate, Net Zero and Clean Growth, framed the announcement in terms of both industrial strategy and energy security.
“With over €1bn (US$1.3bn) invested in hydrogen innovation, the EU is once again putting revenues from the EU Emissions Trading System to work to strengthen Europe’s industrial competitiveness,” he said.
“These investments are accelerating the clean transition, reinforcing Europe’s energy independence and security. It is equally encouraging to see Member States using this tool to invest in more projects.”
