The Federal Association of the Energy and Water Industries (BDEW), together with 15 other associations, has presented a position paper for a European hydrogen alliance. The aim is to accelerate the development of a common hydrogen market and industrial value creation in Europe. Signatories include DVGW, DWV, en2X, Eurogas, FNB Gas, Hydrogen Europe, VCI, VDA, VDMA P2X4A, VIK, VKU, and the Steel Industry Association. As early as June 2025, the associations had launched a first joint appeal, which they are now renewing.
From the perspective of the associations, the hydrogen ramp-up is progressing where infrastructure, funding, demand incentives, regulatory planning security, and risk hedging interact. Overall, however, it remains significantly behind political and industrial requirements. Many companies along the value chain are under considerable economic pressure, investment decisions are being postponed, and European technology providers are facing intensified international competition.
Progress in major projects and core network
The position paper lists several projects that have recently reached decisive development steps. These include investment decisions for the 200 MW electrolyser ELYgator in Rotterdam/Maasvlakte and for the first 300 MW phase of the Andalusian Green Hydrogen Valley in Spain. There is also progress with the 320 MW electrolyser as part of the Clean Hydrogen Coastline project in Emden. According to the associations, the 100 MW electrolyser Refhyne 2 in the Rhineland, the 200 MW electrolyser Holland Hydrogen 1 in the Port of Rotterdam, and the 100 MW electrolyser Lingen Green Hydrogen in Lower Saxony are under construction. The eSAF project at the Schwedt site in Brandenburg is close to the final investment decision.
The associations also see progress in infrastructure. The German hydrogen core network, ongoing capacity reservation, and the further development of cross-border corridors are key components. They positively assess the classification of cross-border transport corridors as European "Energy Highways." Now the core network must be quickly connected with storage, import capacities, industrial clusters, distribution networks, and European transport corridors.
Call for regulatory reform and risk hedging
To make the ramp-up more cost-efficient, the associations call for a revision of the regulations. They are critical of the strict electricity sourcing criteria for RFNBO-compliant hydrogen (Renewable Fuels of Non-Biological Origin) and requirements for low-carbon fuels. In addition to reducing general system costs, they demand an exemption from grid charges for electrolysers.
Since there is currently no liquid hydrogen market with reliable price signals, long-term purchase agreements and final investment decisions are often lacking. According to the associations, contracts for difference, demand instruments, guarantees, and warranties could help here. A technology-neutral approach should include both renewable and low-carbon hydrogen.
Germany to assume a bridging function
Germany, as the largest economic location, future importer, technology exporter, and central network node, must take a leading role, the paper states. The country can build bridges to the Benelux countries, through the H2Med project to France, Spain, and Portugal, along the SouthH2 Corridor to Italy and Austria, and to the Nordic countries as production sites. The associations refer to the coalition agreement, in which a leading German role in a European hydrogen initiative is agreed. Accompanying this, the associations want to actively support the ongoing integration at the EU level in the Industrial Accelerator Act and the Net Zero Industry Act.
