The French government has selected three electrolytic hydrogen projects representing over 160MW of capacity for €778m ($887m) in subsidies.
Selected after a call for tenders in December 2025, the winners will receive per kilogramme subsides over 15 years, as part of the government’s efforts to install 1GW of electrolyser capacity countrywide.
Unlike other EU auctions, the round offers support to projects using both nuclear and renewable power and is aimed at supplying hydrogen to industrial use cases where “no economically viable” electrification pathway exists.
“The announcement of these first three winners represents a concrete step forward for the reindustrialisation of our country. By supporting projects in the chemical, metallurgical, and fertiliser production sectors, we are fostering the emergence of new industrial value chains based on decarbonised hydrogen,” said Minister Delegate for Industry, Sébastian Martin.
Engie’s 5MW Hydrozere project in Saint-Chély-d’Apcher, which plans to supply ArcelorMittal’s local plant for combustion in metallurgy processes, secured funding for the full electrolyser capacity.
Elyse Energy’s planned 240MW grid-connected eM- Rhône e-methanol project in Les Roches-Roussillon will see 61.1MW of its capacity subsidised by the scheme.
FertigHy’s 200MW FertHySomme green fertiliser project in Languevoisin-Quiquery is supported for 95.3MW to produce green ammonia and calcium ammonium nitrate.
The three winners have eight weeks to establish financial guarantees and request contracts.
The French government has said that if one withdraws, the next project in the ranking could be substituted.
It comes after the country cut its overall hydrogen production target from 6.5GW to 4.5GW by 2030, but recommitted to offering €4bn ($4.56bn) to incentivise production.
