Austrian Hydrogen Funding Act and European Investment in Hydrogen Infrastructure
Key Ideas
  • The Austrian Federal Act on the Funding of Renewable Hydrogen of Non-Biogenic Origin (WFöG) provides EUR 820 million in funding for new production plants to increase the share of renewable hydrogen in Austria.
  • Germany, France, Italy, and other European countries are collectively investing up to 6.9 billion euros in the expansion of hydrogen infrastructure through the IPCEI Hy2Infra project, covering various aspects of the hydrogen value chain.
  • The EU Commission has approved the IPCEI Hy2Infra project, recognizing its importance in creating investment incentives for companies and providing a repayment mechanism for successful projects.
  • While the Austrian WFöG aims to achieve national climate targets, it also aligns with the European trend of early investments in hydrogen production and infrastructure for a competitive market position.
The National Council of Austria recently passed the Hydrogen Funding Act (WFöG), allocating EUR 820 million to support the production of renewable hydrogen. This funding aims to increase the share of renewable hydrogen in Austria and align with the country's climate neutrality goals. The subsidies will be awarded through competitive auctions from 2024 to 2026, encouraging the construction and operation of new hydrogen production plants on Austrian territory. Additionally, several European countries, including Germany, France, and Italy, have collaborated on the IPCEI Hy2Infra project, investing billions to expand hydrogen infrastructure. This project covers the installation of electrolysers, construction of pipelines, development of storage facilities, and building transshipment terminals, contributing to the hydrogen value chain. The EU Commission's approval of the project highlights its significance in driving investments and providing a repayment mechanism for successful ventures. The Austrian WFöG, alongside the European initiatives, reflects a positive sentiment towards hydrogen as a key component of future energy systems. However, challenges lie ahead in addressing legal issues, compliance with EU regulations, and navigating funding contracts. The article emphasizes the importance of setting clear guidelines for the implementation of funding and accelerating the development of hydrogen infrastructure to establish a competitive market position in the energy sector.
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