Germany's economy ministry wants to set aside at least €1.5bn for hydrogen projects in the 2027 round of its carbon contracts for difference programme. The full auction is worth €8.7bn and will also have separate pots for carbon capture, utilisation and storage, and high-temperature industrial process heat. The dedicated hydrogen window is meant to cover the gap between production costs and what industrial buyers are willing to pay. Final budgets depend on demand shown during the preparatory phase, and the scheme still needs EU state-aid clearance. The auction is expected to open in May 2027. It comes as EU hydrogen demand targets face uncertainty, with Germany pushing for more flexibility and developers worried about investment certainty.
