France Hydrogen welcomes 2027 budget draft with eSAF auction and IRICC fuel carbon intensity incentive

France Hydrogen has welcomed the French 2027 draft budget, which includes a double-sided auction mechanism for synthetic aviation fuels (eSAF) and the entry into force of IRICC, an incentive for reducing the carbon intensity of fuels. The group says IRICC could trigger nearly EUR 2 billion in private investment in renewable and low-carbon hydrogen projects across refining, maritime fuels, and road transport. The eSAF auction is designed to support supply and demand for synthetic aviation fuels, while IRICC is expected to create a clearer price signal for low-carbon hydrogen in hard-to-abate transport sectors. Industry observers will be watching how the carbon intensity thresholds are set and whether the auction design avoids paying for hydrogen that does not actually cut emissions. The budget draft marks a shift toward demand-side policy for French hydrogen. The key question now is implementation detail, especially volume targets, eligibility rules, and whether the incentives remain stable beyond 2027.