France’s Leadership in Hydrogen Energy: Opportunities for International Collaboration and Franco-Irish Partnerships

A- France at the Forefront of the Hydrogen Revolution

The Hyvolution 2025 conference, held from January 28 to 30, 2025, provided a valuable opportunity to review the progress and advancements in hydrogen development across France. As a global leader in hydrogen innovation, France's initiatives and strategy serve as a noteworthy example of collaboration and sustainable energy solutions.

In the global shift toward sustainable energy, hydrogen stands out as a transformative solution, and France has emerged as a key player in this burgeoning industry. With its ambitious National Hydrogen Strategy launched in 2020 and ongoing industrial developments, France is well-positioned to lead the way in hydrogen innovation. As nations look to collaborate on clean energy initiatives, opportunities for synergy between France and Ireland are particularly promising, given shared ambitions for decarbonization and renewable energy development.

France’s Leadership in Hydrogen Energy: Strategy and State of the Art

In recent years, hydrogen has emerged as a cornerstone of the global energy transition, and France has positioned itself as a leader in this domain. Recognized as a strategic industry, the French hydrogen sector is characterized by strong government support, cutting-edge technology development, and significant private and public investment. With its ambitious goals and robust industrial base, France is at the forefront of developing a comprehensive hydrogen ecosystem.

B - The National Hydrogen Strategy: Ambition Meets Action

Launched in 2020, France’s National Hydrogen Strategy aims to establish the country as a global leader in hydrogen production, usage, and export. Central to this strategy are three overarching objectives:

1. Decarbonizing Industry and Mobility: Hydrogen is seen as essential for reducing emissions in energy-intensive industries and heavy transport sectors. By 2030, France aims to deploy 6.5 GW of electrolyzer capacity to produce low-carbon and renewable hydrogen, with an expansion to 10 GW by 2035.
2. Strengthening Energy Independence: The strategy emphasizes domestic hydrogen production to reduce reliance on imported fossil fuels. This approach aligns with Europe’s broader goals of achieving strategic autonomy in clean energy technologies.
3. Stimulating Economic Growth and Innovation: Hydrogen is positioned as a driver of reindustrialization in France, with the potential to create 66,000 jobs and generate €13 billion in GDP by 2035. Investments in R&D aim to ensure that France remains at the cutting edge of hydrogen technologies.

Scaling Up: Gigafactories and Infrastructure Development

The hydrogen strategy has catalyzed the construction of major industrial facilities across the country, solidifying France’s leadership in the production of hydrogen and associated technologies.

• Gigafactories for Electrolyzers: Significant investments have been made in large-scale electrolyzer production facilities. McPhy’s gigafactory in Belfort and Elogen’s PEM electrolyzer plant in Vendôme are flagship projects, each with an annual production capacity of 1 GW. These facilities will play a critical role in meeting national and European hydrogen demand.
• Hydrogen Mobility: France leads Europe in hydrogen-powered transport. Companies like Hyvia, a joint venture between Renault and Plug Power, and Symbio, which produces fuel cell stacks, are developing hydrogen solutions for buses, commercial vehicles, and heavy-duty transport. By 2025, Stellantis’s factory in Hordain aims to produce 5,000 hydrogen-powered utility vehicles annually.
• Station Networks: With 82 hydrogen refueling stations already operational, France is steadily expanding its network to support the deployment of hydrogen vehicles. Companies like Atawey and HRS are enhancing station production capacity to meet the growing demand.

Pioneering Research and Innovation

Innovation is at the heart of France’s hydrogen strategy. The country’s research institutions and industrial leaders are investing in breakthrough technologies to enhance efficiency and reduce costs.

• The PEPR Hydrogen Program: This initiative supports over 20 research projects with a budget of €83 million, focusing on high-temperature electrolysis, hydrogen storage, and fuel cell technologies. Collaborations between universities, the CNRS (National Centre for Scientific Research), and industry partners are driving innovation.
• Advanced Technologies: Companies like Genvia are working on solid oxide electrolyzers, which offer higher efficiency for industrial hydrogen production. Other innovations include lightweight hydrogen storage solutions and new materials for fuel cells.

Building Ecosystems for Hydrogen Use

France is developing regional hydrogen ecosystems to integrate production, storage, and end-use applications. These clusters aim to optimize supply chains and accelerate the adoption of hydrogen technologies.

• Industrial Hubs: Regions such as Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes and Hauts-de-France are leading in hydrogen deployment. Projects like ZEV (Zero Emission Valley) include hydrogen production, refueling stations, and vehicle deployment.
• Port and Maritime Applications: Ports such as Dunkirk and Le Havre are transforming into hydrogen hubs, facilitating both domestic use and international export. These initiatives highlight France’s focus on leveraging hydrogen for maritime and logistics decarbonization.

Challenges to Address for Future Success

While France’s hydrogen ecosystem is robust and rapidly developing, key challenges need to be addressed to ensure continued success. These include ensuring affordable access to renewable electricity, streamlining infrastructure development for hydrogen transport and storage, and finalizing regulatory frameworks to provide long-term clarity for investors. By tackling these issues, France is poised to achieve its hydrogen ambitions.

C- Opportunities for Franco-Irish Cooperation

France’s advances in hydrogen offer numerous avenues for collaboration with Ireland:

1. Maritime and Port-Based Hydrogen Applications: Ireland’s strategic location and reliance on maritime industries align with French projects like Hydromer and AdvancedH2Valley, which explore hydrogen’s role in reducing emissions in marine logistics and aquaculture.
2. Hydrogen Mobility: Ireland’s transition to low-carbon transport could benefit from French expertise in hydrogen-powered buses, taxis, and retrofitted vehicles. Collaboration on public transport initiatives, particularly for rural and regional areas, could be mutually beneficial.
3. Renewable Hydrogen Production: Both nations share an emphasis on renewable energy. France’s pioneering work with offshore wind-powered hydrogen production, such as Lhyfe’s ventures, complements Ireland’s growing offshore wind sector. Joint projects could explore hydrogen as a storage solution for intermittent wind energy.
4. Research Collaborations: Academic exchanges between French and Irish institutions could accelerate advancements in hydrogen technologies. Ireland’s focus on AI and digital solutions for energy management aligns with France’s innovation-driven hydrogen strategy.
5. Policy and Funding Synergies: France and Ireland, as EU members, can jointly leverage funding mechanisms like the Important Projects of Common European Interest (IPCEI) to support hydrogen infrastructure and innovation.

D- A Shared Vision for a Sustainable Future

France’s ambitious hydrogen strategy underscores its leadership in the global energy transition. By addressing key challenges and fostering innovation, France is setting a benchmark for hydrogen development worldwide. The alignment of goals between France and Ireland presents a unique opportunity to build a sustainable and interconnected hydrogen economy.

Collaborative projects, knowledge sharing, and joint investments between the two nations could pave the way for significant advancements in clean energy. Together, France and Ireland can lead Europe in harnessing the potential of hydrogen, driving decarbonization, economic growth, and energy independence. As hydrogen continues to shape the global energy landscape, the partnership between these nations promises a cleaner, greener future for all. The World Hydrogen Technologies Convention (WHTC) 2025, to be held in Dublin, will provide an excellent platform to strengthen Franco-Irish dialogue on hydrogen and explore new avenues for collaboration.