Hydrogen
Overview
Hydrogen is an increasingly important piece in the decarbonisation puzzle. Industrial players are seeking ways to take carbon emissions out of their hydrogen production processes, while green hydrogen producers see the gas as a viable outright alternative to hydrocarbons.
Future production routes range from methane reformation with carbon capture to pyrolysis, waste gasification and electrolysis, powered by renewable energy or fossil fuels. Combinations of processes and energy being used to produce hydrogen presents existing users of industrial heat and key chemicals a challenging landscape to navigate.
The Argus Hydrogen and Future Fuels service has been designed to provide industrial power, chemicals and energy users with crucial information to help them make well informed decisions. It covers the upstream for projects, midstream for transportation and storage, and downstream for ammonia and methanol. It also covers the latest technological developments and policy news on hydrogen from across the globe.
Latest hydrogen news
Browse the latest market moving news on the global hydrogen industry.
Proven tech focus of 2024 transition investment: BNEF
Proven tech focus of 2024 transition investment: BNEF
London, 30 January (Argus) — Global energy transition investment rose to record levels in 2024, Bloomberg New Energy Finance (BNEF) says in a report published today, but growth was centred on proven technologies and the amount put into emerging sectors declined. Overall investment in the energy transition reached almost $2.1 trillion last year, BNEF says, an increase of 11pc from 2023 and the highest ever. But the increase was markedly smaller than the 24-29pc annual growth recorded over the previous three years. And investment needs to rise to $5.6 trillion/yr in 2025-30, and $7.6 trillion/yr in 2031-35, to align with achieving net zero emissions by mid-century, BNEF says. About 93pc of energy transition investment last year related to "proven, commercially scalable" technologies, BNEF says, resisting pressure from higher interest rates and policy decisions to rise by 14.7pc to $1.93 trillion. Of these, electrified transport attracted the most investment at $757bn, up by 20pc on the year, followed by renewable energy, up by 8pc to $728bn, and power grids, up by 15pc to $390bn. But investment in emerging technologies fell by 23pc on the year to $154bn. Carbon capture and storage investment halved to $6.1bn, as did clean industry investment to $27.8bn. And hydrogen investment declined by 42pc to $8.4bn. BNEF points to issues surrounding technology maturity, scalability and affordability as key hindrances in emerging sectors, flagging the need for public-private partnerships to derisk investment and encourage growth. The main regional sources of investment shifted in 2024, as mainland China increased its contribution by 20pc to $818bn, investing more than the principal 2023 growth drivers — the EU, US and UK — combined. EU investment fell to $381bn and the UK's to $65.3bn, while the US' held stable at $338bn. By Victoria Hatherick Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2025. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.
Spain to give €400mn to EU Hydrogen Bank auction losers
Spain to give €400mn to EU Hydrogen Bank auction losers
Madrid, 30 January (Argus) — Spain plans to distribute €400mn ($417mn) among renewable hydrogen projects that met the criteria to compete in the EU's pilot Hydrogen Bank auction in 2024 but whose bids were too high to be selected for subsidies. The funding will add to €1.32bn to be allocated "in the next few weeks" to large-scale hydrogen clusters as part of Spain's Perte Hydrogen Valley scheme, according to prime minister Pedro Sanchez. Spain submitted 46 projects with a combined 2.9GW of electrolysis capacity to the Hydrogen Bank auctions in April 2024. Three of the seven projects selected from the 119 eligible bids lodged by EU countries were Spanish, although developer Benbros Energy eventually decided not to claim its operating subsidies of €0.38/kg of renewable hydrogen produced. The support announced by Sanchez for eligible projects that missed out on the operating subsidies was at the top end of the €280mn-400mn range proposed by Spain after the auction. The €1.32bn for hydrogen valley Perte is higher than the €1.2bn originally announced. Sanchez defended Spain's focus on renewables and low-carbon energy vectors such as green hydrogen, which he cited as a driver for the country's 3.5pc year-on-year fourth quarter GDP growth, as reported this week by national statistics institute INE. "We are going to continue on this path, we are going to reinforce our policy of 'green, baby, green'," Sanchez said, an allusion to US President Donald Trump's "drill, baby, drill" promise to unleash the full potential of the US oil and gas industry. By Jonathan Gleave Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2025. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.
ECA's green export finance bypasses developing nations
ECA's green export finance bypasses developing nations
Berlin, 29 January (Argus) — The "greening" of export credit agency's (ECA) finance which occurred in the past decade has largely bypassed developing countries, with investments mainly flowing to higher-income countries, according to a study on ECA transactions. The study, carried out by researchers from the business schools HEC Lausanne, ETH Zurich and HEC Paris, shows that ECA energy finance going to lower-income countries dropped to below 30pc in 2022-23 from 47pc in 2013-15. ECAs, including export-import banks, are state-backed agencies that help national exporters finance deals abroad by providing guarantees or loans. The share of ECA renewables commitments — mostly offshore wind and, increasingly, green hydrogen — rose to around 40pc in 2022–23, from under 10pc in 2013. The complete phase-out of fossil fuel financing appears "distant", the researchers noted. While ECAs handle financing volumes "on a par with multilateral development banks such as the World Bank", the scope and direction of their energy investments have largely remained "opaque", the researchers said. The study is based on an analysis of almost 1,000 transactions between 2013-23 which financed energy-related infrastructure and were supported by ECAs. For some key ECA countries such as China or Canada, data is only partially available. The study also reveals "notable" disparities between countries. Most members of the Export Finance for Future coalition (E3F), a group of European countries committed to aligning their export finance with the Paris climate agreement, have introduced stricter fossil fuel exclusions and are boosting their renewable portfolios. At the same time, major players like South Korea, Japan, and China have maintained significant levels of oil and gas lending. OECD countries should introduce "more rigorous climate policies" and renew international cooperation, the researchers said, particularly with non-OECD countries such as China. The OECD — where ECA terms and conditions are negotiated — could relaunch the International Working Group on ECAs, they said, to help ensure that countries phasing out support for fossil fuels do not see their market shares grabbed by others. Better renewable investment support via ECAs could help scale up the new collective quantified goal (NCQG) on climate finance, set at a minimum of $300bn annually by 2035 at the last UN Cop 29 climate summit in November, the researchers said. And ECA mandates could also be broadened to accommodate the needs of lower-income regions. "It is high time for ECAs to complete the shift to renewable energy, and through carefully designed policies and international cooperation, become true catalysts for a rapid and just energy transition," lead author Philipp Censkowsky from HEC Lausanne said. By Chloe Jardine Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2025. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.
Norwegian 20MW green H2 project reaches FID
Norwegian 20MW green H2 project reaches FID
Mumbai, 28 January (Argus) — Norwegian project developer GreenH and German asset manager Luxcara have taken a final investment decision (FID) on a 20MW renewable hydrogen project in Norway's Bodo municipality. The plant is slated to produce up to 3,100 t/yr of renewable hydrogen from 2026. The supply will be delivered to ferry operator Torghatten Nord, making the plant the first to deliver pressurised renewable hydrogen directly to a maritime vessel, according to GreenH. GreenH2 and Torghatten Nord in August 2023 struck an agreement for renewable hydrogen supply in 2025-40. Torghatten Nord will use the hydrogen on two ferries which are scheduled to start operations in October 2025. The company also plans to sell oxygen and waste heat from the facility to generate additional revenue. GreenH secured a 1bn Norwegian kroner ($89mn) financing package for the plant "through private placements, loan schemes and a share purchase" over the past few years. The funding includes NOK129mn from Norwegian government body Enova which was confirmed last month. This is part of a larger NOK391mn award from the body for three projects planned by GreenH. Luxcara is also involved in the 100MW Hamburg Green Hydrogen Hub in Germany which is due to start construction this year with a view to starting production in 2027. By Stefan Krumpelmann Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2025. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.
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