French national hydrogen strategy: new objectives for 2030

On the occasion of the Hydrogen Days in the Territories in Dunkirk, “France Hydrogène” presented the results of a study* called “Trajectory for a great hydrogen ambition.” The latter revealed that not only the objectives set by the French National Hydrogen Strategy for 2030 are achievable, but that France can do better. Even much better.

Let’s remind that the objective is to deploy 6.5 GW of electrolysis by 2030 and thus avoid emitting 6 million tons of CO2 per year.

The target in the “Ambition 2030” baseline scenario is an annual consumption of 680,000 tonnes of renewable or low-carbon hydrogen, of which 70% are intended for the industrial sector, 23% for mobility (300,000 light vehicles, 5,000 heavy vehicles, 65 boats and ships and 100 trains) and 7% for the energy sector.

However due to the increased requirements of Europe and other countries including France, and due to a more stringent regulatory context (the european Fit for 55 package which will ban the combustion engine in 2035), the study carried out for France Hydrogène has worked on an even more optimistic scenario.

French national hydrogen strategy: the “Ambition+ 2030” scenario

Therefore, the “Ambition+ 2030” scenario raises the objectives by 50%, i.e.: 1,090,000 tonnes of annual hydrogen consumption, of which 58% are intended for the industrial sector, 30% for mobility (450,000 light vehicles, 10,000 heavy vehicles, 135 boats and ships and 250 trains) and 12% for the energy sector.

The group has identified seven major hydrogen production and consumption areas in France. These are the Grand Ouest, the Seine Valley, the North, the Moselle-Rhine, the Rhone Valley, the Mediterranean area and the South-West. There are also numerous projects all over France that will contribute to creating territorial hubs and thus linking up a whole network of vehicle stations.

In addition, the “Gigafactories” of fuel cells, electrolysers or hydrogen refill stations announced between 2025 and 2030 will enable national manufacturers to take a significant market share at the national level while positioning considerably in favour of exporting in Europe and the world.

*it was carried out by Hinicio for “France Hydrogène” including the participation of the “Strategic Committee of the Automotive Sector and the Strategic Committee of the New Energy Systems Sector.

Do you want to learn more about hydrogen strategies? Then our latest 2 articles on the subject should interest you. You can read them here and there. 

Article written by Laurent Meillaud and translated by Logan King.