Fewer Gigawatts, but More Realism and Determination – France Updates Its Hydrogen Strategy
France Updates Its National Hydrogen Strategy: Ambition Remains Despite Revised Targets
In March 2025, the French government unveiled an updated version of its National Hydrogen Strategy, originally announced in 2020. While the latest document revises the targets for electrolyzer capacity (from 6.5 GW to 4.5 GW by 2030, and from over 10 GW to 8 GW by 2035), it does not signal a retreat from France’s ambitions for hydrogen as a pillar of its energy and industrial transition. On the contrary – the new strategy illustrates that France intends to develop the hydrogen sector on its own terms, taking into account market, technological, and geopolitical realities.
Target Revisions – A Response to Market Realities
The main reason for adjusting the targets is the slower-than-expected deployment of electrolysis technology, limited demand, and competition from other decarbonization methods. So far, only 0.4 GW of capacity has been secured, with another 0.2 GW under financial evaluation. This decision also follows recent troubles at McPhy – the company that was supposed to launch France’s first green hydrogen gigafactory, which is now up for sale despite receiving millions in public subsidies.
France’s Ministry of Economy, Finance and Industrial and Digital Sovereignty emphasizes that the revised strategy is adaptive rather than defensive. Its goal is to lay a solid foundation for sustainable sector development – with a focus on real-world projects, infrastructure, and skills.
€4 Billion to Support Low-Carbon Hydrogen
Although production targets have been reduced, the government remains committed to strong financial support. By 2040, France will allocate €4 billion to the development of low-carbon hydrogen – both green (from renewables) and pink (from nuclear power). These funds will support:
- commercialization of innovative projects,
- infrastructure development,
- workforce training,
- research and development,
- hydrogen-based mobility projects.
New project calls are being launched, and the government plans to reactivate R&D and industrial deployment support programs.
Hydrogen as a Tool of Industrial Sovereignty
France’s strategy views hydrogen not only as a climate tool, but as a key component of energy and industrial sovereignty. The pandemic, the war in Ukraine, and the energy price crisis highlighted the risks of excessive dependence on imported raw materials and foreign technology. In this context, domestically produced hydrogen – using nuclear and renewable power – is seen as a tool for strengthening systemic resilience and supporting reindustrialization.
New Strategic Architecture: 6 Pillars of Development
The updated National Hydrogen Strategy outlines six key pillars:
- Domestic Production – No Imports by 2035
France aims to avoid hydrogen imports by 2035, focusing instead on building domestic electrolysis capacity. The government considers reliance on imports from Africa or the Middle East to be risky, expensive, and time-consuming – and sees local production as a driver of industrial growth and job creation. - Regional Hydrogen Hubs
Hydrogen production will be concentrated in key industrial clusters:- Fos-sur-Mer (petrochemicals, refineries),
- Dunkirk (metallurgy, logistics),
- Le Havre and the Chemical Valley near Lyon (chemicals, energy-intensive industries).
These locations enable rapid deployment in high-demand areas, creating so-called “hydrogen valleys” – integrated chains of production, transport, storage, and usage.
- Decarbonizing Heavy Industry
A key priority is replacing “grey” hydrogen currently used in refineries, ammonia, methanol, and steel production. Transforming these sectors will yield the greatest emissions reductions. In the longer term, hydrogen is expected to support new value chains such as e-methanol and synthetic aviation fuels. - Specialized Mobility
While electric vehicles are preferred for passenger transport, hydrogen will be used in heavy-duty sectors – including long-haul trucks, refrigerated transport, and construction or agricultural machinery. The strategy acknowledges hydrogen’s lower efficiency compared to batteries but emphasizes its necessity in segments where electrification is impractical. - Leadership in Electrolyzer Manufacturing
France is supporting four electrolysis technologies (alkaline, PEM, high-temperature SOEC, and AEM), developed by companies such as McPhy, Elogen, Genvia, and Gen-Hy. This sector already benefits from over €600 million in public funding and is part of European IPCEI projects. - Skills and Job Creation
The “Compétences et Métiers d’Avenir” program aims to train 100,000 hydrogen sector workers – including 50,000 technical specialists. Education initiatives span all levels – from vocational schools to postgraduate studies – and companies like Symbio are launching in-house training academies.
Regulation, Innovation, and International Expansion
France is also reforming its regulatory environment – via the Green Industry Law and the Renewable Energy Acceleration Law, which streamline environmental permitting and grid connection processes.
At the same time, the government is involved in defining EU rules for low-carbon hydrogen – advocating for nuclear-based hydrogen to be treated equally with renewable hydrogen.
The strategy also includes support for exporting French hydrogen technologies – through a €100 million fund, Bpifrance programs, and hydrogen attachés in embassies.
Source: fuelcellsworks.com