Electrolyser Manufacturers Call for Improved Market Conditions

In a joint manifesto, an alliance of six European electrolyser manufacturers warns of insufficient support for domestic production capacities in the hydrogen scale-up. Without stronger demand-side incentives, clearer regulatory frameworks, and targeted industrial policy measures, Europe’s expansion targets risk falling behind, the paper states.

The signatories include Germany-based Sunfire and Thyssenkrupp Nucera, as well as ITM Power (United Kingdom), John Cockerill (Belgium), Topsoe (Denmark), and Nel (Norway). In the paper, the companies underline the EU’s target of building 40 GW of electrolysis capacity by 2030. In reality, less than 1 GW has been implemented to date, with only around a further 2.8 GW currently under construction.

While manufacturers have significantly expanded their production capacities since 2020 and can now deliver more than 10 GW of annual capacity with over 13,000 employees, installed capacity still falls well short of political ambitions. In the alliance’s view, this points to a growing gap between targets and actual market development, driven by regulatory complexity and weak market signals.

To accelerate the ramp-up, the industry is calling for stronger market activation, for example through demand-side instruments, public procurement, or more binding framework conditions. In addition, adjustments to the regulatory and financial environment are needed, including simplified rules for renewable hydrogen and more efficient support schemes to strengthen European production capacities.