Clean Hydrogen Production Pathways

Clean Hydrogen Production Pathways

BNEF’s New Energy Outlook estimates 34 Mt and 54 Mt of clean hydrogen by 2040 and 2050
respectively to achieve Net Zero in Europe by 2050.

• Achieving those volumes requires a massive scale up from around 0.05 Mt of clean hydrogen
production capacity via water electrolysis in operation currently (June 2024).

• While water electrolysis has a significant cost reduction potential and offers important benefits
from a wider energy system perspective – including the possibllity for coupling of the gas
and electricity sectors – thus supporting an increased penetration of renewable energy in
the energy system, other technologies besides water electrolysis can also produce clean
hydrogen and contribute to achieving Net Zero by 2050 in Europe.

This is especially crucial for regions were supply of renewable energy is either scarce or expensive.
• These include reforming with carbon capture, methane splitting, biowaste-to-hydrogen, and non-biological waste-to-hydrogen.
• Each clean hydrogen production pathways has its unique benefits and challenges related to
scale, feedstock, GHG intensity, costs

Business Opportunities for the Hydrogen Economy