European hydrogen projects face delays and infrastructure challenges

The development of hydrogen infrastructure and production across Europe is facing varying degrees of progress and uncertainty. In Spain, Naturgy has postponed the construction timeline for its €200 million green hydrogen plant in La Robla. The company cited a lack of visibility regarding future demand from industrial off-takers and uncertainty surrounding the implementation of the Renewable Energy Directive (RED) as primary reasons for the delay.

In Germany, the expansion of the national hydrogen core network is progressing slowly. Two years after receiving regulatory approval, only 537 kilometers of the projected 9,040 kilometers planned for 2030 are currently operational. Most existing capacity relies on repurposed natural gas pipelines. The Federal Network Agency (BNetzA) estimates the total investment required for this network will be approximately €19 billion.

Conversely, British company ITM Power is preparing a 150 MW green hydrogen plant through its subsidiary, Hydropulse. The project aims to supply a European refinery starting in 2029 using ITM Power’s Alpha electrolyzer technology. The initiative is currently in the preparatory phase and requires further technical, commercial, and financial approvals before construction begins.