European energy coalition seeks €1 billion for natural hydrogen exploration
More than 30 organisations want EU backing for around 50 wells in at least 10 Member States, alongside clearer rules and permitting procedures.
A group of more than 30 European energy organisations has asked the European Commission to establish a €1 billion programme to investigate natural hydrogen resources. Its open letter to Commission President Ursula von der Leyen proposes funding around 50 exploration and appraisal wells, spread over at least 10 Member States.
Natural hydrogen exploration company Mantle8 initiated the letter, which was presented in Brussels during European Hydrogen Week on 28 October. Signatories include Hydrogen Europe and investment firms World Fund, Wind Capital and Natural Hydrogen Ventures. The coalition argues that regulatory uncertainty could leave Europe trailing regions such as the US and Australia.
The organisations want natural hydrogen recognised explicitly in the 2026 Energy Union package and the planned revision of the EU Hydrogen Strategy. Their proposals also include permitting deadlines, better access to publicly funded geological information and a European atlas to help identify exploration targets. The requested funding would support geological assessments, drilling, flow tests and pilot production, as well as processing and transport technologies.
The Commission is preparing an updated hydrogen strategy and opened a call for evidence on 26 October that identifies natural hydrogen as an emerging research and innovation topic. Generated underground through geological processes, natural hydrogen could supply primary energy, but further fieldwork is needed to establish resource size, productivity and commercial viability. The coalition says its proposal is intended to test that potential, not presume that recoverable deposits exist.
