The European Commission, under President Ursula von der Leyen, has announced the upcoming second auction of the European Hydrogen Bank (EHB) in Brussels, Belgium, with a significant increase in available funding. With €1.2bn allocated for the auction, including €200m reserved for the maritime sector, the auction aims to further boost hydrogen production. Von der Leyen highlighted the importance of utilizing equipment from European companies to promote innovation, energy independence, and job creation. The auction includes clauses limiting the sourcing of electrolyser components from China to address security concerns. The Commission's focus on advancing the clean energy market involves cooperation with Member States and industry stakeholders to identify priorities. The Clean Industrial Deal, set to be presented within the Commission's first 100 days, aims to prioritize infrastructure development for connecting hydrogen projects with end-users. This initiative seeks to leverage Europe's renewable energy potential to support decarbonization efforts across various industries. The EHB auctions are pivotal in scaling up hydrogen production to meet growing demands. The first auction saw 132 bids, with seven projects selected to produce renewable hydrogen over a decade. Winning bids received subsidies funded by the EU's emissions trading scheme, indicating a positive response to the initiative. The upcoming auction with increased funding signals the EU's commitment to driving the hydrogen economy forward with a focus on sustainability and European competitiveness.