The European Commission has given the green light to state aid schemes in Austria and Lithuania to promote the production of renewable hydrogen. Austria will receive €400 million, while Lithuania will benefit from €36 million under the European Hydrogen Bank's "Auctions-as-a-Service" tool. These initiatives aim to further the goals of the Clean Industrial Deal, the REPowerEU Plan, and the EU Hydrogen Strategy by fostering the decarbonization of EU industry, decreasing reliance on Russian fossil fuels, and advancing the green transition. The aid will be provided in the form of a direct grant per kilogram of renewable hydrogen produced, with a maximum duration of ten years. Beneficiaries must adhere to EU criteria for producing renewable fuels of non-biological origin, which includes supporting the additional renewable electricity required for hydrogen production. Teresa Ribera, the Executive Vice President in charge of competition policy, emphasized the significance of these schemes in driving renewable hydrogen development, cutting costs, and backing competitive projects in Austria and Lithuania. By utilizing the EU auction mechanism, these Member States intend to streamline the allocation of public support in the strategic renewable hydrogen sector.