EU new automotive package opportunity for H2: Industry

Spanish Market: Hydrogen
17/12/25

A new automotive package released by the European Commission offers opportunities for clean hydrogen adoption by strengthening the business case of hydrogen derivatives such as green steel and synthetic fuels, industry participants said.

The proposal is intended to give more flexibility to the car industry to reduce emissions and it also aims to support European manufacturing, the commission said.

The new package maintains the goal of reducing emissions of cars and vans over the long run, but it would lift the 2035 ban on internal combustion engine cars, replacing it with a 90pc tailpipe emissions reduction target from 2035 onwards. Car manufacturers will have to compensate the remaining 10pc emissions through the use of low-carbon steel made in Europe, or with use of e-fuels and biofuels put on the market during a specific year.

This approach would continue to promote zero tailpipe emissions, full electric and hydrogen vehicles, and enhance "technological neutrality", the commission said.

Car manufacturers will be able to receive credits for the use of low-carbon steel and cleaner fuels to compensate for tailpipe emissions in their vehicles. Use of low-carbon steel can count up to 7pc, while use of renewable fuels can contribute up to 3pc in the emissions offset.

Allowing car manufacturers to claim credits for the use of low-carbon steel strengthens the business case for renewable hydrogen considering that green steel will be mostly produced with hydrogen through direct iron reduction (DRI), Brussels-based industry association Hydrogen Europe said.

This proposal is in with the lead markets approach that some industry participants have been calling for. It could further strengthen hydrogen uptake by bringing forward the set-off date from 2035 to 2030, and supporting low-carbon steel made from renewable and low-carbon hydrogen based on a sliding-scale methodology which classifies steel production based on both emissions intensity and the share of scrap used, Hydrogen Europe said.

While the new rules would give more flexibility over how to reduce emissions, the proposal provides ambiguous support for cleaner fuels, according to some industry participants. The 3pc cap on use of renewable fuels "provides no incentive for the market ramp-up," industry group eFuel Alliance said.

The group also called for an earlier start to the crediting mechanism to provide benefits to existing production capacities and improve market prospects for new e-fuels projects. "The use of renewable fuels must be enabled now — not in 10 years," chief executive Ralf Diemer said.

The commission's package still requires adoption by a majority in the European parliament and member states.

By Pamela Machado

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31/03/26

Bulk terminals firm HES prepares for energy transition

Paris, 31 March (Argus) — Bulk terminal company HES International operates 14 facilities in four European countries and anticipates important changes to its operations as the energy transition and hydrogen market evolve. Argus spoke with new energies business development director Otto Waterlander and chief commercial officer for HES Med Terminal Firas Ezzeddine about how an infrastructure player must adapt to serve customers. Edited highlights follow: What does HES do and what is its role in decarbonisation? Ezzeddine: We are an essential and critical part of the logistics value chain for the industrial heart of Europe. Our value proposition is that we are located in deep sea ports in close proximity to industrial zones, meaning that we are well positioned to serve strategic European industries and their logistical needs. Waterlander: We are purely an infrastructure player; we do not normally have a stake or exposure to the commodities that we manage through our terminals. Our customers tend to be carbon-intensive and they all are struggling with the question of decarbonisation. For HES, it is both a necessity and an opportunity. It is a necessity because classic flows of commodities will phase out over time. And an opportunity because of the energy transition... new things are happening, for example, [development of a] CO2 [market]. Today, we are not involved in handling CO2, but it is going to become a commodity in the future. What are the main challenges related to energy transition activities? Ezzeddine: I see challenges in three buckets. The first is timing: there is a bit of a lag between project deployment and when the infrastructure should be ready to facilitate flows. These are generally not well aligned. The second challenge is around financing. We see from both private and public sector a bit of a risk averseness in terms of investing in the infrastructure for the future. The final challenge is regulation regarding both the new flows of commodities and the actual development of infrastructure. Waterlander: There is also a question about what the utilisation of new infrastructure will be like, particularly in the early years. What you see in the industry is that often projects get delayed, either because they are not economic or because their utilisation challenges create an [unfavourable] economic situation. A recent example is the CO2 transport pipelines. They require large volumes to make it economic and those volumes are not there yet. You need to factor in some long periods of underutilisation of the infrastructure. H ow are you addressing this last challenge, for example for CO 2 infrastructure? Waterlander: We believe that the key to unlocking the market is to go smaller and create optionality. For example, with regard to CO2 terminal activities, we are advancing in Wilhelmshaven and Rotterdam. We already have infrastructure there to receive tankers and we have dedicated jetties to handle the unloading or loading of vessels. We just need to adjust them so that we can also move CO2. We believe that we can actually get our terminals economically viable at about 1.5mn or maybe 2mn t/yr of CO2 handling, when most of the projects will look at 10mn t/yr plus. If we could develop a smaller size terminal to begin with and then grow to larger sizes, we can help the market to come to grips with those volumes. And then gradually over time, volumes will move into pipelines as well. Will the CO 2 be liquefied at the HES terminals? Waterlander: There are two models. In one we have pipeline transport of gaseous CO2, then HES will liquefy the CO2 at its site before it goes onto the ships. That is the most efficient way because otherwise each player would have to have their own liquefaction. But before we have the gaseous pipelines, we will see customers installing their CO2 capture facilities, liquefy it on site, load it into rail tankcars or into barges on the Rhine, for example, to Rotterdam. In this case we receive it in liquid form already. We are planning to have CO2 infrastructure in place by 2029. In the first year, that is only for a small volume, but by 2030 it starts to become significant. We will launch an open season for our first two CO2 terminals in the coming weeks and we are aiming to analyse more specific capacity bookings through these. In France's Fos-sur-Mer, you are working with the Gravithy green iron initiative . What additional infrastructure is needed for that? Ezzeddine: We will be managing the inflow of material for them, which is the iron ore, and the export of their hot briquetted iron [HBI] production. What that entails, in essence, is having some cranes and conveyor belt infrastructure from and to their facility. For the iron ore side, it is not different from the infrastructure that we have for other sites. But the HBI requires dedicated infrastructure because of the nature of the product. What we are doing now is designing a conveyor belt network going from our terminal to theirs, which is around 2km away, where we send iron ore and we receive HBI, and we dedicate a specific slot on our terminal land where we have specific storage for them. Does GravitHy need to book capacity in advance to enable the expansions? Ezzeddine: We have a specific planning and demand forecasting system where we input the potential volumes going in and out. When a new client comes in, they add their inflow and outflow requirements to the model. Then we see whether that is feasible or not given the current infrastructure and the land capacity that we have. The client, in this case GravitHy, tells us they have a need for ‘X' million tonnes of throughput in our terminal, and it is up to us to design the optimal inflow and outflow process. We update the model quite frequently so that we have visibility on what is needed by when, especially because some projects require infrastructure that takes years to build. What are HES' plans for e-methanol? Waterlander: We're working on an e-methanol import project where it will be brought from across the Atlantic into Germany. We have a storage site in Germany that is a former refinery and has liquid storage facilities. We still have an element of the refinery operational that provides security of supply today. We're discussing with a partner the construction of a synthetic aviation fuel (e-SAF) facility as well, which they would locate on our premises. What about other hydrogen carriers or hydrogen-based fuels? Waterlander: We're very proactive on following everything in the hydrogen space. We had discussions about liquid hydrogen imports. We are also into advanced project steps on imports of ammonia into Germany and are in project definition for imports of liquid organic hydrogen carriers. For our Wilhelmshaven site, we already have signed a letter of intent with grid infrastructure company OGE to be connected to the hydrogen network. Ammonia in particular is rather expensive because you need crackers. Is HES planning to develop ammonia crackers? Waterlander: It depends, it is still such early days. If we do it, it would not be at our sole risk, that is clear. Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2026. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.

Hydrogen ‘no passing fad’: IEA

26/03/26

Hydrogen ‘no passing fad’: IEA

Hamburg, 26 March (Argus) — Low-emissions hydrogen "is no passing fad" and deployment could soon approach the "breakneck expansion" seen in solar and offshore wind in their early years, the Paris-based energy watchdog the IEA said. The sector has seen "stark" corrections recently, but these are "typical in emerging sectors", the IEA said in its Energy Technology Perspectives 2026 report published today. Progress has fallen short of expectations from the early 2020s. Many projects have been cancelled or delayed and numerous companies have gone bankrupt. This has led to production and consumption forecasts being cut sharply. . But it is common for technologies to "experience cycles of exuberance followed by consolidation before stabilising around the most viable opportunities", the IEA said. The hydrogen "bubble may be weakening, but it is far from bursting". Investments in low-emissions hydrogen reached $8bn globally in 2025, an increase of 80pc from a year earlier, the watchdog said. Global electrolyser capacity rose from 100MW in 2009 to 1GW in 2023. Capacity is expected to have reached close to 5GW by the end of 2025, and China will account for roughly 40pc of this, the IEA said. Based on final investment decisions, global electrolyser capacity could reach 26GW by 2030, another fivefold increase. Projects with a "strong potential to be in operation by 2030" could lift this to about 65GW. That growth path would mirror the early scale-up of solar and offshore wind, the IEA said. Including other low-emissions production routes, output could reach 4.2mn t/yr from projects with "committed investments", and about 10mn t/yr when likely plants are included. Governments must offer more targeted support to unlock the project pipeline, the watchdog said. This includes stimulating demand in existing hydrogen applications and building enabling infrastructure. It warned of challenges for new projects, including competition from data centres and other energy-intensive sectors for power supply and for capital for supporting infrastructure. The IEA said recent increases in electrolyser costs — driven by inflation and supply chain pressure — may reverse in the coming years thanks to larger scales and learnings. It sees some regions, most notably China, on track to close the gap between renewable hydrogen and conventional production by 2030. Even in parts of Europe, supportive policies could narrow the gap to below $1/kg by then, it said. By Stefan Krumpelmann Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2026. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.

Germany presents new climate action programme

25/03/26

Germany presents new climate action programme

Berlin, 25 March (Argus) — Germany's cabinet today presented a climate action programme with a strong focus on renewable power and industry electrification, encompassing 67 measures designed to cut greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 27mn t/yr of CO2 equivalent (CO2e) until 2030, although the country's climate experts warned that it is unlikely to achieve these reductions. The measures will plug the 25mn t CO2e annual reduction gap flagged in last year's official forecasts, environment minister Carsten Schneider said. The forecasts have since been superseded by data presented by federal environment office UBA earlier this month indicating a 42mn t/yr CO2e gap. The main drivers of the action programme are additional tenders for onshore wind power capacity over 12GW, and an extra €2.9bn of subsidies for industry electrification projects. The additional wind installations are expected to achieve emissions reductions of 6.5mn t CO2e in 2030 and lower wholesale power prices by €6/MWh, Schneider said. The majority will be installed in the relatively wind-poor but energy-hungry south of the country, or in priority areas, so it will not be affected by potential future legislation limiting grid access, Schneider said. Industrial electrification subsidies are expected to lead to emissions reductions of 4.3mn t CO2e in 2030. And Schneider stressed that his ministry expects the transport and buildings sectors, which have been lagging behind in recent years, to accelerate decarbonisation in the late 2020s. A €3bn subsidy scheme with income-based support will allow for the purchase of about 800,000 electric vehicles, leading to emissions savings of 1mn t CO2e in 2030. And the government expects the planned road transport GHG reduction quota now under parliamentary scrutiny to yield emissions reductions of 6.3mn t CO2e in 2030, while funding for new heat grids will save 2.3mn t CO2e in 2030. Germany's land use, land use change and forestry (LULUCF) sector will receive €4.7bn across 23 measures including the rewetting of peatlands and conversion of forests, although the effects will be felt mainly after 2030, Schneider said. Proposals by the economy ministry , which would take pressure off fossil fuel heating systems, are likely to be counterbalanced by the current energy crisis, Schneider said, as homeowners buying a new heating system are now likely to think differently about investing in another gas-fired system. The climate action plan will make Germany "more modern and more independent of oil and gas", Schneider said, reducing its natural gas consumption by almost 7 bcm³ in 2030 and its petrol consumption by about 4bn litres — down by 9pc on current annual levels, Schneider said. The government was legally obliged to present a climate action programme under the country's climate action law, and it must also be scrutinised by parliament. Germany aims to cut its emissions by 65pc in 2030 compared with 1990 levels. They stood 48pc below 1990 levels last year. The country's council of experts on climate change ERK, tasked with scrutinising the programme, said today that it lacks novelty and ambition and is unlikely to achieve the expected reductions. The ERK, which said it was commenting subject to a more detailed review, criticised the government's strong focus on the energy sector and its insufficient relief for households on low and middle incomes, particularly in the heating sector, even though the need for social measures to accompany climate change policy will continue to grow. The ERK urged the government to look at more innovative measures such as "white certificates" for energy efficiency or a bonus-malus system for cars. It is "questionable" whether the programme's measures "adequately" address the challenge of restructuring Germany's fossil fuel-dependent "capital stock", Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research chief economist Ottmar Edenhofer said. It lacks "credible" policy instruments providing "clear incentives" to switch to technologies such as electric cars or heat pumps, added Edenhofer, who is also chair of the European Scientific Advisory Board on Climate Change. Germany's solar association BSW flagged the "gap between aspiration and reality", given the economy and energy ministry's plans to axe support for small-scale rooftop solar systems. And German wood industry association HDH warned against restrictions to forestry management, which it said will limit the supply of raw materials for climate-friendly timber construction. Environmental group DUH announced it will once again sue the government for the programme unless it is improved, particularly regarding the transport sector. DUH won a case against the government's previous climate action programme in January . The climate action programme stands on "shaky ground", think-tank Agora Energiewende director Julia Blaesius warned, given that it is based on outdated data and in light of planned legislation changes. Blaesius emphasised the importance of a "reliable" carbon price to provide planning and investment security to households and companies, as well as revenues for Germany's climate and transformation fund, which finances much of the programme's measures. By Chloe Jardine Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2026. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.

Sungrow, CRRC to provide tech for Kenya green NH3 plant

24/03/26

Sungrow, CRRC to provide tech for Kenya green NH3 plant

London, 24 March (Argus) — Chinese electrolyser manufacturers Sungrow Hydrogen and CRRC Zhuzhou have secured electrolyser supply contracts for the first phase of a geothermal-powered hydrogen and ammonia project in Olkaria, Kenya, developed by Chinese firm Kaishan Group. Kaishan signed a steam supply agreement with state utility KenGen in October 2025, under which KenGen will supply steam from existing geothermal wells for Kaishan to generate 165MW of electricity to power the electrolysers. Chinese firm Wuhuan Engineering is serving as engineering, procurement and construction contractor. Works on the site began in November 2025. Sungrow will supply 16 alkaline electrolysers rated at 1,000 Nm³/h each, while CRRC will provide eight units of the same rating, giving phase 1 a combined capacity of 24,000 Nm³/h, or around 120MW. This is sufficient to produce roughly 19,000 t/yr of hydrogen assuming continuous operation, which will be converted to the 100,000 t/yr of ammonia planned for phase 1. Kaishan plans to scale to 200,000 t/yr of ammonia at full build-out, with output processed into 480,000 t/yr of green fertilisers comprising 180,000 t/yr of urea and 300,000 t/yr of calcium ammonium nitrate. Kenya's government will offtake the fertiliser for distribution to local farmers to reduce import dependence. Total investment stands at around $800mn, with annual revenues projected at $220mn-250mn over a 25-year operating life, Kaishan said previously. Geothermal power offers a significant advantage for electrolytic hydrogen production, with capacity factors of around 90pc enabling near-continuous baseload operation without the intermittency or energy storage costs associated with solar and wind. Kenya's energy department estimates the country holds 10GW of geothermal potential, with only around 950MW of installed capacity to date. Chinese electrolyser makers have been increasing their equipment exports in recent months, supplying to projects in Europe, Middle East and Asia-Pacific. Sungrow delivered 160MW of alkaline electrolysers to Acme's green ammonia project in Oman , a 3MW containerised PEM system for Italy's MW-scale solar-to-hydrogen project , and a containerised alkaline system to a green hydrogen blending project in Brazil. By Chingis Idrissov Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2026. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.

France’s average low-carbon H2 subsidies may near €2/kg

24/03/26

France’s average low-carbon H2 subsidies may near €2/kg

Paris, 24 March (Argus) — French hydrogen projects could receive close to €2/kg on average under the country's subsidy scheme for low-carbon and renewable hydrogen production. The ongoing first round of the scheme has a budget of €797mn, the European Commission said on 23 March . With this, France aims to provide operating support for 200MW of electrolysis capacity across multiple projects over a 15-year period. Projects selected could receive around €1.90/kg, assuming they produce 28,000 t/yr between them, in line with the ratio between electrolyser capacity and projected output of Air Liquide's NormandHy electrolysis plant , the largest in the country to have reached a final investment decision (FID). France's subsidy programme is open to the production of renewable and low-carbon electrolytic hydrogen that meets the EU's definition of low-carbon fuels. Maximum support is capped at €4/kg, but awards in competitive tenders rarely reach the established ceiling because projects tend to submit lower bids to increase chances of securing support. If all successful bids were in line with the €4/kg, the budget would suffice to support only around 13,000 t/yr, far below the likely output from 200MW of electrolysis capacity. The French government in January finalised the rules for the first round, and 10 shortlisted projects had until 27 February to submit their final bids. France's support could be more lucrative than the operating subsidies awarded so far under the European hydrogen bank , especially as the EU support is granted for only 10 years. The highest hydrogen bank subsidy awarded by the EU was €1.88/kg for the Norwegian GreenH project under the maritime sector topic , while many successful bids across the two rounds hovered around €0.50/kg. France's future auctions could potentially offer similar operating subsidies to the ongoing round. France has in total earmarked €4bn to support 1GW of electrolysis capacity, suggesting that the ratio between planned budgets and supported capacity could remain stable in future rounds. A second round targeting 250MW is to be launched later in 2026, followed by a 550MW round in 2027. By Pamela Machado Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2026. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.

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