While France is developing a hydrogen diplomacy strategy to boost its industrial exports, the country is not ruling out the long-term import of low-carbon hydrogen or its derivatives.

According to the revised strategy, “Beyond 2035, resorting to imports—particularly of hydrogen derivatives—could be economically justified.” One of the key conditions would be confirmation of a growing demand for synthetic fuels in the aviation and maritime sectors, as these fuels require vast amounts of electricity to produce. This specificity, the government explains, could warrant the use of imports in addition to domestic production. However, foreign production would need to be more cost-competitive than domestic supply—something that is not currently the case, the strategy notes.

After 2035, potential competitive imports could include hydrogen-derived molecules such as synthetic fuels, ammonia, or methanol, particularly for use in air transport or fertiliser production. In the longer term, imports of gaseous hydrogen via pipelines from nearby regions—such as the Iberian Peninsula through the BarMar project—could also be considered.

By contrast, the strategy makes clear that imports of liquid hydrogen by sea are not currently envisioned, even over the long term.

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