Hintco announced the official notification under EU State aid rules of the second round of H2Global auctions with a budget of up to €3 B. Germany’s BMWK and the Netherland’s KGG have combined their resources, committing up to €2.5 B to global, non-European producers. Additional funding allocations from Germany for European-specific tenders are under discussion with the EU Commission.

The approval by the European Commission for the second round of auctions highlights the growing global trust in the H2Global model. It paves the way for significant advancements in renewable H₂ production, utilization and international trade, further bridging the gap between supply and demand.

Timo Bollerhey, CEO of Hintco and H2Global co-founder, said, “The second round of H2Global auctions, along with Germany’s joint commitments with the Netherlands, marks a transformative moment in building a thriving H₂ economy. These contributions underscore the necessity of a global approach to addressing climate change and accelerating the energy transition. By fostering international partnerships and leveraging combined investments, we are setting the stage for robust supply chains and scalable H₂ solutions that will pave the path towards the creation of green markets.”

This second H2Global auction round covers a broad geographical range while prioritizing the diversification of H₂ imports. To support the development of resilient global supply chains, part of the funding will be distributed through regional auctions in North America; South America and Australia; Asia; and Africa. To enhance flexibility, all regional procurement lots will be product-open, enabling bidders to offer a variety of H₂ derivatives.

The global lot financed with funding from Germany and the Netherlands will in contrast be vector-open, which means it will target exclusively molecular H₂. This dual approach ensures both product diversity and targeted procurement, addressing infrastructure readiness and supporting competitive pricing, critical issues highlighted during stakeholder consultations.

Complete details regarding the timeline, eligibility criteria, and application process for the second H2Global auction round, will be published in the first half of 2025.