Author: Arnes Biogradlija

A regulatory limbo until at least 2028 for nuclear-derived hydrogen risks fracturing Europe’s low-carbon ambitions and distorting competition in the continent’s emerging hydrogen economy. That is the warning from Nuclear Europe, the industry’s main lobbying group, as a leaked draft of upcoming European Commission rules shows a three-year delay in certifying hydrogen produced with nuclear power as “low carbon.” The European Commission will not decide on the status of nuclear-based hydrogen until July 2028, with consultations on the issue only set to begin in mid-2026. In contrast, renewable hydrogen — produced via electrolysis powered by wind or solar — was…

Honda’s decision to postpone its $10–11 billion EV supply chain project in Ontario underscores the volatility now defining North America’s electric vehicle landscape. Announced with fanfare in April 2024, the Alliston-based venture was billed as a critical step in localizing production and securing access to battery materials. One year later, it has become a bellwether for the uncertainties facing EV investments in the region. The company cited a softening EV market and mounting risks associated with U.S. trade policy—particularly under the administration of President Donald Trump—as reasons for the delay. A Honda Canada spokesperson confirmed to CBC News that the…

In a surprising shift within Europe’s largest auto market, Germany registered 45,535 new battery electric vehicles (BEVs) in April 2025, capturing nearly 19% of total monthly vehicle registrations despite the recent removal of federal subsidies. This represents a year-on-year increase of over 50%, outpacing diesel vehicle sales for the month—a notable moment in the ongoing realignment of the global automotive landscape. This uptick comes amid a general market stagnation: Germany’s total vehicle registrations in April fell by 0.2% year-over-year to 243,000. Yet BEVs bucked the trend, surpassing diesel registrations (37,649 units) and narrowing the gap with gasoline vehicles, which saw…

Fortescue Metals Group’s decision to eliminate approximately 90 positions across its green hydrogen division signals more than a workforce reduction—it’s a barometer of a sector grappling with underperformance and policy headwinds. The cuts, which affect the company’s Gladstone PEM50 electrolyser project in Queensland and facilities in Western Australia, follow a strategic pivot from manufacturing to research and development. While Fortescue remains vocal about its long-term commitment to green hydrogen, the near-term outlook reveals a recalibration in response to global instability in the sector. Market Signals Undercut Hydrogen Optimism Once billed as a cornerstone of decarbonisation strategies, green hydrogen is encountering…

The European Union’s ambition to install 40 GW of green hydrogen electrolyser capacity and produce 10 million tonnes of hydrogen domestically by 2030 now stands on increasingly shaky ground. As detailed in a joint study by CASSIS and EWI, the optimism underpinning these targets no longer reflects current market dynamics, cost developments, and global political shifts. Cost Curve Reversal Undermines Market Assumptions Contrary to earlier projections that envisioned a downward cost trend, the production cost of green hydrogen has risen over recent years. European green hydrogen currently costs about twice as much as blue hydrogen produced from fossil fuels. This…

China’s green hydrogen ambitions are gaining momentum, with projections pointing to a potential 12 trillion yuan ($1.64 trillion) industry. Underpinned by state-led planning and bolstered by a surge in renewable capacity, the country is pursuing hydrogen not just as a clean energy alternative but as a structural pillar in its national energy transformation. Yet despite aggressive infrastructure buildouts and industrial enthusiasm, analysts warn that gaps in economic feasibility, market design, and system integration could derail expected returns. Hydrogen’s Role in a Reshaped Energy Mix The long-term vision is clear: hydrogen is expected to supply 10% of China’s terminal energy by…

With hydrogen volumes projected to fall as low as 1 GW by 2030—down from earlier estimates of 4 GW—the Netherlands’ hydrogen transport network risks becoming economically unviable without substantial policy correction. This stark reassessment, published in a recent market report by the Netherlands Authority for Consumers and Markets (ACM), signals rising cost pressures on network users unless immediate measures are enacted. Gasunie’s updated cost projections reveal a more than twofold increase in anticipated investment for the national hydrogen backbone compared to previous forecasts. While the exact revised figures remain undisclosed, the gap between upfront infrastructure spending and expected hydrogen throughput…

As Europe’s energy capital seeks to pivot from oil to renewables, Aberdeen City Council has launched an ambitious proposal to develop a fully integrated hydrogen valley in Scotland’s northeast. The TH2ISTLE project, involving 30 partners and potentially backed by £7.7 million in EU funding, aims to tie together green hydrogen production, storage, and utilization across the region. If realized, it could serve as a test case for industrial-scale hydrogen integration and a model for just transition, but key hurdles remain. Targeting a Net-Zero Backbone with Integrated Hydrogen At the center of Aberdeen’s proposal is a vision of regional decarbonisation, aligned…

Saudi Arabia’s multi-billion-dollar pivot toward hydrogen is as much a geopolitical maneuver as an energy transition strategy. As global demand for green hydrogen is projected to grow annually, exceeding 40 percent, reaching a market value of $72 billion by 2030, the Kingdom is moving aggressively to secure a dominant position, not by following the trend, but by reshaping it. Central to this effort is the dual-track approach of scaling both green and blue hydrogen, with ambitions tethered to the broader objectives of Vision 2030. While much attention has focused on the high-profile NEOM Helios project and its planned daily output…

When Statkraft announced the abrupt termination of its 40 MW Mo i Rana electrolyser order with Nel ASA, it underscored a stark truth: even within a hydropower-rich nation, green hydrogen projects are buckling under today’s economic headwinds. Once billed as a poster child for decarbonising heavy industry, the €35 million‐plus Mo i Rana facility was designed to leverage Norway’s abundant renewable electricity to produce clean hydrogen for nearby steel and chemical plants. Yet Statkraft’s leadership concluded that no commercially viable model could be built in the current landscape of high capital costs, volatile power prices, and rising interest rates. From…