In Short : A surge in abandoned hydrogen megaprojects is a sign of maturity rather than failure. The hydrogen industry is shifting from grandiose declarations to practical, realistic initiatives that propel real decarbonization in challenging sectors.
The Bubble Burst: A Change for the Better
Many hydrogen megaprojects have been scrapped because they were not economically feasible, despite their glamorous promises. While global low-carbon hydrogen demand remains small—under 1 million tonnes in 2023 out of 97 million tonnes total—the projects that are moving forward are feasible and demand-driven. Far from the hype of the past, final investment decisions (FIDs) today represent scalable, deliverable solutions.
Pragmatic Hydrogen Deployment Examples
Engie’s Yuri Facility in Australia is a small but functional 10 MW electrolyzer that runs on solar energy and battery storage, generating close to 640 tonnes of green hydrogen per year for the synthesis of ammonia. Part of a broader 700-kilometer cross-border hydrogen infrastructure, the mosaHYc Pipeline (Europe) is a €110 million hydrogen corridor approved by the FID that connects France and Germany. The projected H2Med Corridor, supported by EU finance and cooperation, would transport up to 2 million tonnes of hydrogen annually between Barcelona and Marseille by 2030. The sector’s increasingly strategic direction is indicated by these tailored rollouts, which stand in stark contrast to cancelled grandiose aspirations.
Impact and Significance of Clean Energy
In fact, hydrogen’s significance in the clean energy transition is strengthened by its retreat from hype to reality. High-impact, niche applications such as steel, refining, and ammonia now benefit from economically sound projects. Instead of speculative endeavors, this demand-driven, recalibrated path delivers scalable, investment-worthy hydrogen solutions.
