Unlocking the hydrogen economy - stimulating investment across the value chain

The potential of hydrogen and the investment opportunities it represents are clearly recognised by the investment community. Virtually all players consulted through this study are planning or have already made investments in the hydrogen sector. The current momentum for hydrogen is palpable in most investor conversations.

However, significant challenges need to be addressed to create the conditions for the large-scale deployment and financing of hydrogen projects. Economic and regulatory conditions would need to improve further in order to mobilise the full financing needed to meet the ambitious EU targets. In this context, financing risks would need to be appropriately mitigated, while the nature of the hydrogen sector also calls for a coherent value chain approach to ensure coherent development of the various parts of the ecosystem.

This report provides a basis for both financiers and policymakers to assess these challenges as they pursue hydrogen investment opportunities. The European Investment Bank’s Advisory Services, which have authored this study, will continue to work both with their partners at the European Commission and with the project promoters that they advise to ensure hydrogen financing needs are well understood and to help in the development of appropriate instruments that are equal to the challenges of the European Union’s ambition.