Europe's Hydrogen Industry Bands Together

Written by Martin Lynch, European News Editor for IIR News Intelligence (Sugar Land, Texas)

Summary

Many of Europe's key hydrogen electrolyser manufacturers have banded together to push for stronger hydrogen policy, a 'Made in Europe' criteria and more financial support.

Stronger Together

Six of Europe's leading makers of electrolysers used for clean hydrogen production have formed the Electrolysers for Europe (E4E) coalition, to pressure the European Union (EU) into ramping up its support for European-made technology and projects. 

ITM Power, John Cockerill, Nel, Sunfire, thyssenkrupp nucera, and Topsoe have banded together and launched a formal manifesto to expand and protect Europe's  electrolyser sector from growing external competition, mainly China. The group has laid out its plan to generate up to 200 billion euro (US$237 billion) in export value by 2040, scale electrolyser production and create 1 million direct jobs in the green hydrogen sector. The partners outlined how they have scaled annual production capacity more than tenfold from 1 gigawatt (GW) in 2020 to more than 10 GW today, as projects have shifted from pilots to industrial-scale deployment.

"Europe cannot afford another missed opportunity," stated E4E. "The choices made now will decide whether Europe leads the technologies that define the clean industrial era or becomes dependent on importing them from elsewhere. European electrolyser manufacturers have already shown what is possible. We have honoured our commitments, scaled annual production capacity and proven our ability to deliver world-class technology at industrial scale. Now, EU policymakers must match that ambition with policies that accelerate market demand, simplify regulation, and provide long-term investment certainty."

Hydrogen Dream Vs.Reality

In 2020, the EU set a goal of having 6 gigawatts (GW) of electrolysis capacity installed by 2024. That equates to the production of 1 million tonnes of renewable hydrogen. However, it fell massively short with just 600 megawatts (MW) operational and only 2.8 GW under construction as of July 2025. By 2030, the EU's REPowerEU Strategy has a target of having 40 GW of renewable hydrogen electrolysers installed, producing 10 million tonnes domestically, while also importing 10 million tonnes. By 2050, renewable hydrogen is supposed to cover around 10% of the EU's energy needs, "significantly decarbonising energy intensive industrial processes and the transport sector." In December, Industrial Info reported that Europe will only be able to supply slightly more than half of the green hydrogen it needs to meet its 2030 targets, with only a quarter of announced projects currently under construction. For additional information, see October 15, 2025, article - Europe's Green Hydrogen Dream Not Matching Reality.

According to E4E, there is a clear mismatch between the potential and the reality, which must be addressed. Using figures from Clean Hydrogen Monitor, the potential stands at 84 GW, but there is just 2.8 GW in construction. Fifty projects have been cancelled in the last 18 months, at least 80% of which were early-stage renewable hydrogen projects. Despite that, E4E highlights that Europe has a 30% market share in electrolyser manufacturing capacity globally, and is calling on the EU to protect and promote that. "Clean tech is clearly turning into Europe's next growth engine," it stated. "In 2024, European clean technology exports matched fossil gas imports. With Europe leading the world in electrolysis, we can unlock up to 200 billion euro (US$237 billion) in export value, making electrolysers a key contributor to European industrial competitiveness. Europe must invest in clean tech to spark a new wave of sustainable and high-skilled jobs. The green hydrogen value chain alone can create around 1 million direct jobs across the EU--while safeguarding millions more in downstream industries."

Key Takeaways 

• Europe's leading hydrogen electrolyser manufacturers band together to pressure EU for more support.
• The EU has only achieved 10% of its 2024 target of 6 GW of electrolysis capacity.
• Europe has a 30% market share in electrolyser manufacturing capacity globally but is under pressure from Chinese suppliers.

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