International Partnership for Hydrogen and Fuel Cells in the Economy

Strategy Stratégie nationale pour le développement de l'hydrogène décarboné en France (Sep 2020) National strategy for the development of decarbonized and renewable hydrogen (Sep 2020) Roadmap Plan de déploiement de l’hydrogène pour la transition énergétique (Jun 2018) Hydrogen Sector's Proposals for Renewable and Low-Carbon Hydrogen in France (January 2021)

Update: June 2026 The Government’s Electrification Plan On 23 April, the government presented its electrification plan, which is structured around 22 measures targeting the sectors most dependent on fossil fuels: transport, the building sector, industry and small-scale manufacturing. The ministry states that this plan, developed in consultation with stakeholders, is intended to mark “a turning point in our transition away from fossil fuels”. The document makes specific reference to hydrogen, reiterating the objectives set out in the national hydrogen strategy revised in April 2025 and incorporated into the Multi-Annual Energy Plan in February 2026. The Government states that hydrogen is an essential indirect electrification solution that complements direct electrification for sectors that are most difficult to electrify. Mechanism to accelerate major strategic projects During a visit to the Allier department on 22 April, the President of the Republic highlighted the mechanism to accelerate major strategic projects, which was formally launched in January 2026 following its announcement at ‘Choose France – Édition France’. The Élysée Palace states that 150 projects have now been selected, spread across 63 departments, representing a total investment of €71 billion and creating over 32,000 jobs, half of which will be generated by SMEs and mid-cap companies. The list of projects includes the following hydrogen players in the sector: Gravit’Hy, Fertig’hy, Lhyfe, Engie, Verso Energy and Elyse Energy. These projects are to receive enhanced administrative support from prefects, in conjunction with local authorities, in order to remove barriers to implementation, particularly regarding land, procedures and grid connection. Publication of the report by the Committee for Monitoring Investments in the Future on France 2030 In its 2025 report published in April 2026, the Committee for the Monitoring of Future Investments (CSIA) estimates that France 2030 has seen a “massive and rapid” roll-out, with around €10 billion committed each year since 2022, which is nearly four times the rate of previous Future Investment Programmes. Regarding hydrogen, the report shows that the commitment rate for the planned budget of €2.9 billion (out of the €9 billion National Hydrogen Strategy) has only reached €1.8 billion, representing the second-lowest commitment rate among the 17 objectives and levers of France 2030 (63%). According to the authors, “hydrogen production, strongly supported by France 2030, is lagging behind, due to technical difficulties and significant market uncertainties”. The report highlights in particular the gap between the “electrolysis capacity funded by the hydrogen strategy” achieved and the projected trajectory of 0.4 and 0.8 GW respectively. Publication of the 2026–2035 Multi-Year Energy Plan The 2026–2035 Multi-Year Energy Plan (PPE), published on 13 February, sets out the quantitative targets for France’s main energy sectors for 2030 and 2035, as part of the drive towards carbon neutrality by 2050. It devotes a specific section to hydrogen and sets out a trajectory for the ramp-up of electrolysis in line with usage priorities and system constraints. It begins by highlighting the scale of the current market, noting that “each year in France, around 900,000 tonnes of hydrogen are produced from fossil sources” and that this hydrogen is used in particular in refining, fertilisers and chemicals. The PPE frames the strategy around two operational objectives: “decarbonising existing uses of hydrogen (excluding co-products), notably through the production of hydrogen via water electrolysis” and “meeting new demand for decarbonised hydrogen by prioritising uses, both industrial and in mobility, particularly for aviation and shipping”. Regarding integration into the electricity grid, the PPE states that “electrolysis capacity will be powered by France’s low-carbon electricity mix or by specific renewable electricity generation facilities”, and that “opportunities to reduce electrolysers’ consumption during these periods will be explored and encouraged”, with these “occasional load shedding measures” contributing “to the security of electricity supply”.

Updated March 2024 Elogen, CNRS and Paris-Saclay join forces to develop renewable hydrogen production on an industrial scale. The joint laboratory will be housed at the Orsay Institute of Molecular Chemistry and Materials (ICMMO- CNRS/Université Paris-Saclay). It will bring together the scientific expertise of ICMMO's Electrochemistry for Energy Research and Innovation Team (ERIEE) in PEM water electrolysis, hydrogen storage and purification, and that of Elogen's teams. The creation of the laboratory will also contribute to the training of young researchers. Gen-Hy signs partnership with Saint-Gobain for renewable hydrogen production to launch a research programaimed at developing and industrializing future generations of AEM membranes, dedicated to the production of renewable hydrogen. IFP School launches a master's program dedicated to hydrogen. IFP School announced in late January the launch of its new "Hydrogen Project & Engineering" (HyPE)master program. Graduates will be able to take up positions as project managers, H2 business developers, project managers or design office managers in the hydrogen sector. Accredited by the Conférence des Grandes Ecoles for 2 years,the HyPE diploma course aims to train the next generation of high-level specialists in the field of low-carbon hydrogen, with a program covering the entire value chain. The aim is to welcome 25 students for the start of the academic year in September 2024.

Update: June 2026 Review of the French hydrogen ecosystem in France March 2026 Review of the French hydrogen sector’s international news: March 2026 Publication of France Hydrogène’s sector report. France Hydrogène published its new sector report during Hyvolution Paris. The report provides an overview of the sector based on the value chain structure (production, infrastructure, applications), using data available at the end of 2025 and projections up to 2035–2040. Hydrogen: a strategic link in the electrification and reindustrialisation of France. Alongside the direct electrification of many applications, renewable, low-carbon hydrogen must play a central role as a means of indirect electrification. In this context, France Hydrogène is publishing its contribution to the government’s electrification plan. Two new public funding schemes will support the production of decarbonised ammonia and fertilisers in France. On 27 March, the ABC Ottmarsheim project by Hynamics subsidiary HyforSeeds has received European Commission approval for €144 million in French state aid. This support will fund the construction of a 50 MW electrolyser and the infrastructure required for hydrogen production at the LAT Nitrogen fertiliser plant in Ottmarsheim-Chalampé (Grand Est). At the same time, FertigHy's Juno project in Languevoisin-Quiquery (Hauts-de-France) was selected as a winner of the 9th wave of the 'Première Usine' programme.  Genvia successfully launched the first hydrogen production from its solid oxide electrolyser at its Béziers facility. In South Africa, Air Liquide began construction in early 2026 of the Wits-South Africa Hydrogen Localisation Initiative (Wits-SAHLI), aiming to establish a modular hydrogen pilot facility on the western campus of the University of the Witwatersrand in Johannesburg. The facility utilizes a 110kW electrolyser to convert water and renewable electricity into low-carbon hydrogen. With a storage capacity of 200kg, the plant can later reconvert this stored hydrogen into clean power, delivering a total electrical output of up to 200kW during peak operation. This project is a direct response to the national call for re-industrialisation and serves as a platform for collaboration beyond the university, supporting South Africa’s broader hydrogen ambitions. Scheduled to be fully operational by 2028, the project will support applied research, technology testing, and the development of local components while fostering deep industry collaboration. Vallourec and American firm Baker Hughes signed a memorandum of understanding in February to integrate Vallourec's Delphy underground hydrogen storage solution with Baker Hughes' compression technologies. Natural hydrogen presence in France confirmed by FDE's drilling in Moselle. After obtaining the Exclusive Research Permit known as "des 3 Évêchés" covering the entire Lorraine Basin in January, Française de l'Energie drilled the world's deepest natural hydrogen well in Moselle (PTH-2, at 3,655 metres), confirming the presence of hydrogen and targeting resource certification by 2027. Road mobility: the sector maintains its momentum. In early February, three hydrogen-retrofitted coaches by GCK Mobility, operated by Transdev, were deployed by Aix-Marseille Métropole on the Ulysse network. TEAL Mobility announced its intention to expand its distribution network in Europe, with the opening of five new stations in Mulhouse, Duisburg, Antwerp, Rotterdam and Berlin. Hyliko also strengthened its partnership with Lhyfe to secure the supply of over 200 tonnes of RFNBOs for its stations in Île-de-France, particularly in Villabé and Tremblay-en-France. Hyliko: successful trials of the hydrogen-powered truck in Occitanie. Since 17 March 2026, Hyliko, Qair and the Occitanie region have enabled three transport companies to test a hydrogen-powered lorry free of charge in real-world conditions, with the support of hydrogen refuelling stations in Béziers (34) and Narbonne (11). The initial results have proved conclusive, with feedback from the field confirming the benefits of hydrogen for intensive use (long range, fast and clean refuelling, seamless integration into existing operational flows and driving comfort). In total, since the start of the trial, the Hyliko HyT44 1st Edition hydrogen truck, which has a range of around 400 km, has covered more than 3,000 km and reduced CO2 emissions by 2.5 tonnes. Uber invests in HysetCo, a specialist in hydrogen-powered taxis. Uber has announced that it is investing in HysetCo, a Paris-based hydrogen-powered taxi management company, in the form of a convertible loan, and aims to have 2,000 hydrogen-powered taxis available for its business customers on its booking platform within five years. “This is the first time Uber has invested in a French company,” the US firm highlighted in a press release, which did not specify the amount of the investment. With this partnership, Uber is signalling its desire to “establish itself even more firmly in the taxi sector”, where it has been operating since 2022. Currently, 5,000 taxis in the Île-de-France region are already listed on the Uber platform. Active in Île-de-France for five years, HysetCo offers a comprehensive hydrogen vehicle rental and management service, and operates more than 800 vehicles. HRS, Toyota Motor Europe and ENGIE Lab CRIGEN announced in late January the integration of the dual-nozzle Mid Flow Twin technology into an RHeaDHy dispenser, enabling a reduction in hydrogen station refuelling times. In motorsport, INOCEL deployed its generators at the Dakar 2026 rally in Saudi Arabia, powering the bivouac and the truck of the winning KH7 team. Symbio North America and Savage Companies commissioned the first hydrogen-electric fuel cell truck for short-haul transport, fitted with Symbio's complete hydrogen drivetrain and FORVIA's hydrogen storage tanks.

Update: June 2026       Meet4Hydrogen conference, 24-26 June 2026, Bordeaux France Hyvolution Paris, 19-21 January 2027, Paris, France

Update: June 2026 Launch of the call for proposals on decarbonising the maritime sector. On 2 April, the government officially launched the first national call for proposals for ‘investment grants for the decarbonisation of maritime transport and services’, administered by Ademe and open until 6 July. European Commission approves €1.1 billion in French state aid. The European Commission has authorised a French state aid scheme worth €1.1 billion designed to support investment in clean technologies, under the Clean Industrial State Aid Framework (CISAF) adopted to support the Clean Industry Pact. This scheme aims to encourage the industrial production of strategic technologies necessary for the energy transition and European competitiveness. Launch of the tender for the Support Mechanism for Hydrogen Production via Electrolysis. On 29 December 2025, the government published the tender specifications for the first national call for tenders dedicated to the production of carbon-free hydrogen via electrolysis, marking a key milestone in the implementation of the Production Support Mechanism (PSM). According to the government, this call for tenders is intended to enable the eventual development of approximately 1 GW of hydrogen production capacity via electrolysis in France, thereby contributing to national decarbonisation targets for industry and heavy transport, whilst supporting the development of a structured industrial sector.

Updated March 2024 Publication of a Ministerial decision on the research permit for native hydrogen mines. A ministerial decision has been published granting "the exclusive license to prospect for native hydrogen,helium and relatedsubstances known as "Sauve Terre H2" in the Pyrénées-Atlantiques County, covering an area of around 225 km²". This five years permit has been granted to TBH2 Aquitaine company. Other permits may follow, as five demands are currently being currently examined by the authorities. Publication of the tax exemption for the use of renewable energy in transport sector decree. The decreeimplementing the incentive mechanism for the use of renewable energy in transport sector (TIRUERT) relating to the traceability conditions specific to renewable hydrogen was published on December 31, 2023. The decree set the provisions concerning the proof of sustainability of the renewable hydrogen used in transport sector (including in refineries). The inclusion of low-carbon electrolytic hydrogen in the TIRUERT mechanism will be the subject of a subsequent decree.

1. Concerned Ministries : Ministry for the Ecological Transition Ministry of Higher Education, Research and InnovationMinistry of Economy, Finance, and the Recovery 2.Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Associations and organisations French Hydrogen and Fuel Cells Association (AFHYPAC) 3. Projects: Hype - Ongoing Jupiter 100 - Ongoing GRHYD - Ongoing Lhyfe - Annouced

Stratégie nationale pour le développement de l'hydrogène décarboné en France (08 09 2020) Plan de déploiement de l'hydrogène pour la transition énergétique (01 June 2018)

France Statement (PDF); 40th Steering Committee Meeting; Washington DC, USA, 4-5 October 2023 France Statement (PDF); 35th Steering Committee Meeting; Online; 22 - 25 June 2021 France Statement (PDF); 34th Steering Committee Meeting; Online; 1 - 4 December 2020 France Statement (PDF); 33st Steering Committee Meeting; Online; 16 - 19 June 2020 France Statement (PDF); 31st Steering Committee Meeting; Vienna, Austria; 9 - 12 April 2019 France Statement (PDF); 30th Steering Committee Meeting; Pretoria, South Africa; 4 - 7 December 2018 France Statement (PDF); 28th Steering Committee Meeting; Netherlands; 20 - 23 November 2017 France Statement (PDF); 27th Steering Committee Meeting; Hamberg, Germany; 25 - 28 April 2017 France Statement (PDF); 26th Steering Committee Meeting; Gwangju, Republic of Korea; 1 - 4 November 2016 France Statement (PDF 291KB); 25th Steering Committee Meeting; Berkeley, CA, USA; 17 - 20 May 2016 France Statement (PDF 264KB); 24th Steering Committee Meeting; Grenoble, France; 1 - 3 December 2015 France Statement (PDF); 23rd Steering Committee Meeting; Wuhan, China; 27 - 28 May 2015 France Statement (PDF 3.97MB); 22nd Steering Committee Meeting; Rome, Italy; 2 - 3 December 2014 France Statement (PDF 4.70MB); 21st Steering Committee Meeting; Oslo, Norway; 19 - 21 May 2014 France Statement (PDF 1.49MB); 20th Steering Committee Meeting; City of Fukuoka, Japan; 20 - 21 November 2013 France Statement (PDF 3.01MB); 19th Steering Committee Meeting; London, United Kingdom; 23 - 24 May 2013 France Statement (PDF 1.96KB); 17th Steering Committee Meeting; Cape Town, South Africa; 3 - 4 May 2012 France Statement (PDF 1.33MB); 15th Steering Committee Meeting; Vancouver, Canada; 13 - 14 May 2011 France Statement (PDF 51KB); 13th Joint Meeting of the ILC & SC; Essen, Germany; 14 - 15 May 2010 France Statement (PDF 1.03MB); ILC/SC Joint Meeting; Washington, DC; 1 - 3 December 2009 France Statement (PDF 842KB); Steering Committee Meeting; Reykjavik, Iceland; 26 - 27 September 2006 France Statement (PDF 2.13MB; Steering Committee Meeting; Kyoto, Japan; 14 - 15 September 2005 France Statement; ILC Committee Meeting; Rio de Janeiro, Brazil France Statement (PDF 891KB); Steering Committee Meeting; Paris, France; 26 - 28 January 2005 France Statement; Steering Committee Meeting; Beijing, China France Statement (PDF 91KB); ILC Meeting; Reisensburg, Germany; 26 February 2004 Ministerial Statement (PDF 66KB); IPHE Inaugural Ministerial Meeting; Washington, D.C.; 20 Nov 2003 Contact: Tudor Florea | tudor.florea@developpement-durable.gouv.fr

Tudor Florea | tudor.florea@developpement-durable.gouv.fr