'Clean hydrogen projects to double in next five years'

Research from international law firm Pillsbury forecasts an additional 48GW by 2028

The number of operational clean hydrogen production projects worldwide is set to at least double to an additional 48GW in the next five years, according to research from Pillsbury.

The international law firm forecast 108 projects are set to start producing the gas by the end of 2028.

Pillsbury’s hydrogen map ­has found, alongside strong projected growth, the number of global zero and low-carbon hydrogen production projects has grown significantly, with 94 sites already producing hydrogen.
Since 2021, when Pillsbury first published its research, the number of tracked production projects at any stage of development has increased by almost 50%.

According to the analysis, Europe is leading the charge in the development of clean hydrogen, with Germany home to 25 of the already operational projects (equal to 27%).

The US, UK and Japan are all home to seven sites each.

Globally, 326 clean hydrogen production projects have been announced and are at various stages of development.

This includes 310 green hydrogen projects and 16 blue hydrogen projects.

In terms of GW electricity produced from hydrogen energy in the next five years, Australia is front of the pack with almost 28GW due to come online.

The Netherlands comes in second with nearly 7GW; Ireland nearly 4GW; and China and Spain with 2GW each.

The recent growth in hydrogen projects follows significant efforts by governments across the world to promote the hydrogen industry.

The EU led the charge globally with its strategy on hydrogen being adopted in 2020.

The US followed suit through the introduction of a clean hydrogen production tax credit through the Inflation Reduction Act and a hydrogen hubs program through the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) whilst also introducing its National Clean Hydrogen Strategy and Roadmap.

Meanwhile, the UK launched its hydrogen strategy in 2021.

Pillsbury’s global energy industry leader Elina Teplinsky said: "The EU was the first to roll out measures to support the development of hydrogen, so we’re ultimately seeing the market reap what it sowed.

"The US has thrown its full weight behind catching up with the EU, so it’s not surprising we’ve seen strong recent growth, something that will likely continue in the years ahead.

"The hydrogen hubs programme will be a significant moment in the hydrogen race.

“Hydrogen is multifaceted in applications and ability to decarbonize many sectors, but some hurdles still need to be cleared before we have a viable global clean hydrogen market.

"One of which is the elementary question of how hydrogen will be transported in a cost-effective manner – whether via pipelines, conversion into ammonia or using new liquefaction technologies.

"Continued innovation and investment will see this hurdle cleared in time."