France announces Eur700 mil for hydrogen production funding in 2024

The French energy ministry has allocated Eur700 million ($737 million) for a support mechanism for hydrogen production in 2024.

The funding allocation is part of a Eur10 billion package for ecological planning announced late Sept. 27, including Eur1.5 billion for nuclear in 2024.

France is planning a call for 150 MW of electrolysis for hydrogen production in 2024, followed by 250 MW in 2025 and 600 MW in 2026, according to a consultation document published earlier in September.

France is aiming for 6.5 GW of installed electrolyzer capacity by 2030, while the EU is targeting 10 million mt/year of green hydrogen production by that date, requiring over 80 GW of electrolysis.

Platts, part of S&P Global Commodity Insights, assessed the cost of producing renewable hydrogen via alkaline electrolysis in Europe at Eur6.27/kg ($6.61/kg) Sept. 27 (Netherlands, including capex), based on month-ahead power prices. Proton exchange membrane electrolysis production was assessed at Eur7.37/kg.