Global Hydrogen Review 2024: Challenges and Opportunities in Low-Emissions Hydrogen Industry
Key Ideas
- Total electrolyser capacity at 20 GW globally, with projects doubling in the past year to increase low-emissions hydrogen production fivefold by 2030.
- Challenges persist with underutilized factory capacity potentially increasing manufacturing costs, regulatory uncertainties, and lack of incentives for demand acceleration.
- Hydrogen sector growth vital for reducing emissions in industrial sectors like steel, refining, and chemicals, but current progress deemed insufficient for climate goals.
- Government targets for hydrogen production exceed demand targets, highlighting the need for significant growth acceleration in the sector to bridge this gap by 2030.
The IEA's Global Hydrogen Review 2024 reveals significant progress and challenges in the low-emissions hydrogen industry. The report indicates a positive trend with 20 GW of total electrolyser capacity globally, projected to increase by fivefold by 2030 due to a doubling in projects reaching FID in the past year. However, hurdles such as underutilized factory capacity, regulatory uncertainties, and lack of demand incentives pose threats to the sector. Although hydrogen's potential to reduce emissions in key industries is acknowledged, the current pace of development falls short of meeting climate goals. Global targets for hydrogen production exceed demand targets, requiring accelerated growth at an unprecedented rate to align by 2030. The report underscores the need for expanded infrastructure and policy clarity to support the industry's advancement. Despite challenges, positive signs include increased investor interest, government strategies, and financial commitments aiming to bridge the cost gap between low-emissions hydrogen and fossil fuels. The industry's evolution and success hinge on addressing current obstacles and fostering a conducive environment for growth and innovation.
Topics
South America
Government Policies
Investment
Energy Transition
Manufacturing
Industry Growth
Infrastructure Development
Climate Goals
Demand Creation
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