Hydrogen production is the foundation of the emerging hydrogen economy. The EU aims to produce 10 million tonnes of renewable hydrogen by 2030, primarily through water electrolysis powered by renewable electricity. EU-funded projects support the development and deployment of advanced electrolyser technologies—including ALK, PEM, AEM, and SOEC systems—as well as innovative pathways such as biomass gasification or thermochemical splitting. Projects also explore decentralised production to meet local energy needs in sectors such as healthcare, industry, and residential heating.
By investing in scalable and replicable production models, CINEA contributes to building a European hydrogen market that is cost-competitive, resilient, and integrated into the broader energy system.
CINEA also supports the deployment of projects in manufacturing of electrolysers and electrolysers of components, to boost Europe’s competitiveness.
Project examples
REFHYNE2 is scaling up renewable hydrogen production with the installation of a 100 MW PEM (Proton Exchange Membrane) electrolyser at the Rheinland refinery in Cologne. The green hydrogen and oxygen produced will contribute to decarbonising refinery operations, demonstrating how electrolysers can be integrated into existing industrial infrastructure. The project also aims to improve efficiency and economic viability by making use of by-products and qualifying for RED II/III credits.
EU contribution: € 32 431 618
Funding programme: Horizon Europe - Energy
Lead: SINTEF AS
H2HEAT is developing a replicable model for decarbonising hospital heating using green hydrogen. On Gran Canaria, the project combines hydrogen-powered heat and power systems (H2-CHP) with heat pumps, supplied by locally produced renewable hydrogen. The system will cover substantial heat demands (>0.5 MW) and support the Canary Health Service’s Health Zer0 Net Emissions Strategy.
EU contribution: € 10 655 475
Funding programme: Horizon Europe - Energy
Lead: Consorcio para el diseño, construcción, equipamiento y explotación de la plataforma oceánica de Canarias
FreeHydroCells is working on a new technology to efficiently convert sunlight into chemical energy. The system employs advanced materials to create thin layers that absorb sunlight and, when placed in water, split it into hydrogen and oxygen. This process, known as photoelectrochemical water splitting, enables solar energy to be stored as hydrogen gas, a clean and renewable fuel.
EU contribution: € 3 748 300
Funding programme: Horizon Europe - Energy
Lead: University College Cork
Hyode is developing secure offshore solutions for renewable hydrogen production, storage, and transport. The project integrates a compact marine PEM electrolyser, subsea storage, and compressed hydrogen vessel transport to ensure reliable supply for industrial offtakers.
Over the first ten years of operation, Hyode will produce more than 46,000 tonnes of renewable hydrogen, avoiding around 316,000 tonnes of CO₂ emissions. By linking offshore sites directly to ports, it strengthens the entire renewable hydrogen value chain while supporting the Net-Zero Industry Act and the REPowerEU Plan.
EU contribution: € 40 000 000
Funding programme: Innovation Fund
Lead: EDF Renouvelables
ECHO-wave will produce renewable hydrogen certified as a Renewable Fuel of Non-Biological Origin (RFNBO) using a proton exchange membrane (PEM) electrolyser with a nominal capacity of 2.5 MW electric. Located in Kehlen, Luxembourg, the project combines a wind turbine and an agrivoltaics solar plant, with the electrolyser directly connected to supply the necessary renewable electricity. An expected amount of 2 900 tonnes of renewable hydrogen will be produced during the first ten years of operation.
EU contribution: 12 694 904
Funding programme:
Innovation Fund
Lead: Green Power Storage Solutions (GPSS) S.A.
GIGA-SCALES is industrially scaling the production of advanced ZIRFON membranes, high-performance separators that increase the efficiency and durability of electrolysers. A new facility near the port of Antwerp will begin operations in 2025, with capacity to supply membranes for around 20 GW of electrolysers each year.
By strengthening Europe’s hydrogen value chain, GIGA-SCALES contributes to the REPowerEU Plan and wider decarbonisation goals.
EU contribution: € 11 031 000
Funding programme: Innovation Fund
Lead: AGFA GEVAERT
TopSOEC project is a leading example of Europe’s ambition to innovate within hydrogen production technologies. This project focuses on developing high-efficiency electrolysis components, specifically targeting solid oxide electrolyser cells (SOECs). TopSOEC’s advanced technology aims to make hydrogen production from renewable energy sources more cost-effective and energy efficient.
EU contribution: € 94 000 000
Funding programme: Innovation Fund
Lead: TOPSOE AS
H2M Eemshaven will establish a first-of-a-kind low-carbon hydrogen production facility in Eemshaven in the Netherlands. The project integrates and combines proven state-of-the-art technologies for low-carbon hydrogen production using a single-train Autothermal Reforming (ATR) process at an innovative and non-existing scale in Europe. The plant will have a production capacity of 210 000 tonnes/year of hydrogen.
EU contribution: €162 150 538
Funding programme: Innovation Fund
Lead: Equinor ASA
CICERONE is building an integrated cross-border value chain for green hydrogen and ammonia as part of the CEO-Alliance initiative. The project combines new renewable generation, a 120 MW green ammonia facility in Spain, and an ammonia terminal and cracking plant in Rotterdam.
By advancing secure cross-border infrastructure, CICERONE supports the growth of a European green hydrogen and ammonia market, contributing to energy security, competitive pricing and large-scale industrial decarbonisation.
EU contribution: €3 377 473
Funding programme: Connecting Europe Facilities – Energy
Lead: Iberdrola