EU hydrogen strategy consultation puts costs, demand and infrastructure in focus

The EU hydrogen strategy is being revised as production and consumption develop more slowly than expected. A consultation open until 23 November seeks views on overcoming investment barriers, strengthening demand and building a competitive European hydrogen market.

The European Commission launched the consultation on 26 October, inviting input from producers, industrial consumers, infrastructure operators, investors and other stakeholders. It combines a public call for evidence with a targeted questionnaire covering the future direction of hydrogen policy.

The review comes six years after the original strategy. Although the EU has since established a substantial regulatory framework, the Commission acknowledges that operational capacity remains limited and many projects are struggling to reach sufficient maturity.

The renewed strategy will address domestic production and imports, supporting renewable energy targets while considering supply security and Europe’s position in international markets.

Argus reports that high production costs, weak demand, a shortage of long-term purchase commitments, infrastructure delays and electricity-network constraints are among the barriers identified in the consultation documents. Its coverage also points to industrial competitiveness, financing, technology and international trade as areas for consideration.

The commercial challenge is to connect supply ambitions with customers able to commit to hydrogen purchases. Funding production facilities can help projects advance, but developers also need confidence that demand, transport infrastructure and workable delivery costs will emerge together.

The Commission says the strategy will be developed alongside the renewable energy framework to 2040, with the aim of improving investment predictability and strengthening the resilience of Europe’s hydrogen value chain.

Responses to the targeted consultation can be submitted until 23 November 2026 at 23:59 CET through the Commission’s consultation page.

Source: European Commission, Directorate-General for Energy; additional reporting by Pamela Machado, Argus Media, “EU launches consultation on new hydrogen strategy”, 26 October 2026

Further reading

European hydrogen markets face investment gaps as bankable demand remains limited
European hydrogen demand hinges on industrial competitiveness and alternative technologies