EU Approves €3B German State Aid to Boost Clean Tech and Hydrogen Manufacturing
The European Commission has approved a €3 billion ($3.5 billion) German plan aimed at expanding clean technology manufacturing capacity, including potential investments in electrolysers, fuel cells, and hydrogen refuelling infrastructure. The scheme is part of the EU’s Clean Industrial Deal State Aid Framework (CISAF), legislation adopted last summer that sets conditions for government support of net-zero technologies. The funding could support a wide range of technologies, including wind turbines, solar panels, electrolysers, fuel cells, and various hydrogen-related infrastructure such as compressors, refuelling stations, pipelines, storage facilities, and equipment for converting hydrogen to and from ammonia. Although neither the European Commission nor the German government has specified which hydrogen technologies will benefit, Germany has been a strong proponent of hydrogen development. Last month, the country announced €220 million in subsidies for new hydrogen refuelling stations and has set mandates for the use of green hydrogen in transport, reinforcing its commitment to the sector.