PRESS RELEASE - EUROPEAN COMMISSION

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Brussels, 07 May 2026

EU awards over €1 billion to European hydrogen projects to accelerate the clean transition

Today, the European Commission has selected nine hydrogen production projects under the third auction of the European Hydrogen Bank (EHB). Across seven countries in the European Economic Area, the projects are expected to provide almost 1.1 giga-watts of electrolyser capacity and produce over 1.3 million tonnes of hydrogen over their first 10 years of operation, with an estimated greenhouse gas emissions avoidance of 9 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent. 

The selected projects will receive a total of around €1.09 billion in EU funding from the Innovation Fund, sourced from the EU Emissions Trading System (ETS). The produced hydrogen will help reduce emissions from energy-intensive industries such as transport and chemicals. The projects are expected to strengthen Europe's industrial leadership, long-term competitiveness and jobs, and contribute to EU's clean transition, energy independence and security.

The auction awards successful projects with a subsidy to help cover the price difference between their production costs and the market price. The objective is to incentivise clean hydrogen production and use. Upon signature of their grant agreements, the nine selected projects will receive a fixed premium of between €0.57 and €3.49 per kilogramme of certified and verified hydrogen produced, for a maximum period of 10 years.

The selected projects under the renewable hydrogen fuels of non-biological origin (RFNBO) General topic: 

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 List of selected projects under the RFNBO Low Carbon topic: 

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List of selected projects under the Maritime-Aviation topic: 

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* For RFNBO H₂ volumes, calculated based on the 2021-2025 ETS benchmark of 6.84 tons CO2e/tH2, not taking into account additional carbon abatement due to substitution effects in the H2 end use application (i.e. conservative estimate). Any electrolytic low carbon hydrogen production volumes are assumed to avoid the minimum of 70% of emissions compared with the fossil fuel comparator.  

The auction allocates financial support through a competitive bidding process, designed to maximise GHG emission reductions while supporting market price discovery. Projects were ranked according to their bid price, reflecting the level of support required per kilogram of clean hydrogen produced. Following an assessment of their eligibility and quality, the projects were selected in ascending order of bid price until the available Innovation Fund budget was fully allocated. 

In addition, Spain and Germany are participating through the Auctions-as-a-Service feature, adding a further €1.7 billion in national funds. This enables Member States to use national resources to support projects in their own territories that have applied to the auction. This feature reduces administrative burden and ensures a coordinated and cost-efficient allocation of public support across Europe. Germany will support RFNBO hydrogen production with up to €1.3 billion, and Spain will contribute up to €440 million. Projects placed on the Innovation Fund reserve list that fall within the budget made available by participating Member States, and in line with the overall ranking order, may be transferred to the relevant national authorities to begin grant agreement preparations. This possibility will be offered to three projects located in Spain and three located in Denmark. ‘Auctions-as-a-service' is open to all Member States, enabling them to benefit from the EU-level auction platform and award national funding to additional projects with simplified procedure. 

Next steps

The European Climate, Infrastructure and Environment Executive Agency (CINEA) will start the formal preparation of grant agreements with the selected projects. This step will confirm the final conditions of the financial support, including the awarded fixed premium per kilogram of hydrogen and the implementation timeline. Agreements are expected to be signed in the last quarter of 2026.

The selected projects will have to reach financial close within two and a half years of grant signature and enter into operation within five years. These commitments are backed by a completion guarantee provided by the projects to the Commission.

CINEA will continue to monitor progress throughout implementation to ensure projects are delivered as planned and support is used in line with the agreed terms.

Background

The nine projects were selected as a result of the third Auction for domestic hydrogen production of the European Hydrogen Bank. It aims to boost the domestic production of RFNBOs and, for the first time, electrolytic low carbon hydrogen, through dedicated funding streams. The auction included a dedicated topic for hydrogen producers supplying off-takers in the maritime and aviation sectors. This third Auction closed on 19 February 2026 and attracted 58 bids from 11 countries, resulting in an oversubscription of over 6 times the budget of €1.3 billion. 

The Innovation Fund has an estimated total budget of €40 billion from the EU Emissions Trading System for the period from 2020 to 2030. It creates financial incentives for companies and public authorities to invest in cutting-edge net-zero technologies and support Europe's transition to climate neutrality. The Innovation Fund has already awarded around 260 innovative projects across the EEA.

The European Hydrogen Bank auctions complement the Innovation Fund's calls for proposals by enabling a market-based allocation of support, helping to direct funding where it can most efficiently unlock investment in innovative low-carbon technologies.

For more information 

News: Innovation Fund 2025 auctions attract almost €10 billion of bids from European industry for decarbonisation support 

News: Launch of three new funding opportunities under the Innovation Fund 

Innovation Fund competitive bidding

Innovation Fund dashboard

EU Funding & Tenders Portal

European Hydrogen Bank

Innovation Fund 

Questions & Answers

Quote(s)

 With over €1 billion invested in hydrogen innovation, the EU is once again putting revenues from the EU Emissions Trading System to work to strengthen Europe’s industrial competitiveness. These investments are accelerating the clean transition, reinforcing Europe’s energy independence and security. It is equally encouraging to see Member States using this tool to invest in more projects. 

Wopke Hoekstra, Commissioner for Climate, Net Zero and Clean Growth

EU agrees to simplify AI rules to boost innovation and ban ‘nudification' apps to protect citizens

The European Commission welcomes the political agreement reached today between the European Parliament and the Council of the EU on simpler, innovation-friendly rules for artificial intelligence (AI).

The Commission proposed the Digital Omnibus on AI only five months ago as part of the EU's simplification agenda to boost Europe's competitiveness. This will make the implementation of the AI Act for EU businesses easier while maintaining its benefits for European society, safety and fundamental rights.

Today's agreement sets a clear implementation timeline for the rules governing high-risk AI systems. Rules for systems used in certain high-risk areas — including biometrics, critical infrastructure, education, employment, migration, asylum and border control — will apply from 2 December 2027. For systems integrated into products such as lifts or toys, the rules will apply from 2 August 2028. This sequencing will help ensure that technical standards and other support tools are in place before the rules start to apply.

The agreement also strengthens protection for citizens. It prohibits AI systems that generate non-consensual sexually explicit and intimate content or child sexual abuse material, such as AI ‘nudification' apps.

For businesses, the agreement introduces simpler rules and clearer governance. Certain privileges for small and medium-sized enterprises are extended to small mid-cap companies. The interplay between the AI Act and EU product safety laws, in particular the Machinery Regulation, was also clarified, avoiding duplication between sectoral and AI rules. More innovators will also gain access to regulatory sandboxes, including an EU-level sandbox, to test their AI solutions in real-world conditions. The Commission AI Office's enforcement powers will be strengthened to support oversight of certain AI systems, including those built on general-purpose models and those embedded in very large online platforms and very large search engines. 

This agreement will deliver safer and simpler rules for both citizens and businesses. The Digital Omnibus on AI also complements existing support initiatives, including the AI Act Service desk and the upcoming guidelines on the classification of high-risk systems and transparency obligations.

Next steps

The European Parliament and the Council must now formally adopt the political agreement. Upon adoption, the amendments will be published in the Official Journal of the European Union and enter into force three days later.

Background

The Digital Omnibus on AI was proposed on 19 November 2025, aiming to simplify the AI Act while maintaining its level of protection. It was published together with another digital omnibus that streamlines rules on cybersecurity and data, complemented by a Data Union Strategy to unlock high-quality data for AI and European Business Wallets. The package represents the seventh omnibus proposal as part of the Commission's efforts to simplify EU rules by making business in the EU simpler, less costly and more efficient.

For more information

Simpler EU digital rules and new digital wallets to save billions for businesses

An agile Digital Rulebook for the EU | Shaping Europe's digital future

Quote(s)

 Our businesses and citizens want two things from AI rules. They want to be able to innovate and feel safe. Today’s agreement does both. With simpler and innovation-friendly rules, we make it easier to innovate without lowering the bar on safety. We are also making sure the tools supporting EU companies for a smooth implementation of the AI Act are ready. 

Henna Virkkunen, Executive Vice-President for Tech Sovereignty, Security and Democracy

EU and Jordan step up delivery of their strategic partnership through €135 million financing agreements

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Today in Amman, Commissioner for the Mediterranean, Dubravka Šuica, has signed financing agreements worth €135 million with Jordan, alongside the country's Minister of Planning and International Cooperation, Zeina Toukan. These agreements aim to boost cooperation in education and skills development, security and migration management, as well as economic resilience and the business environment. They mark a significant step forward in implementing the EU-Jordan Strategic and Comprehensive Partnership (SCP).

The signatures took place in the context of Commissioner Šuica's first official visit to Jordan.

Commitments turned into concrete actions

The new agreements cover the full range of areas under the EU-Jordan SCP:

• €30 million to strengthen technical and vocational education and training. This funding will boost education, youth skills, and long-term resilience, with a focus on human capital development. It will also promote greater inclusion for women, young people, and persons with disabilities in Jordan's political and economic life.
• €25 million will enhance integrated border management and internal security. It will support the joint fight against cross-border threats and reinforce Jordan's internal and regional stability.
• €80 million will support Jordanian efforts in assisting Syrian refugees and host communities in the country. This funding underscores the EU's continued solidarity with Jordan and recognises its long-standing role in hosting refugees.

Another key deliverable under the SCP is the support to the Aqaba Digital Hub. €12.3 million will finance the expansion of its data capacity, via a loan by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (guaranteed by the European Fund for Sustainable Development Plus). This will strengthen Jordan's role as a digital gateway between Europe, Africa, and Asia.

Background

Jordan is a key partner for the EU, with whom it concluded a Strategic and Comprehensive Partnership (SCP) in January 2025. The SCP focuses on peace, security and sustainable development along five pillars of cooperation: human capital development, migration and refugee support, security, economic resilience, and political relations. Under the SCP, the EU has pledged €3 billion for Jordan (2025–2027), combining grants, investments, and concessional loans to address shared challenges.

Marking this commitment to a stronger partnership, an EU-Jordan Summit was held in Amman in January 2026 and an EU-Jordan Investment Conference will be organised later this year.

For more information

EU-Jordan relations

EU-Jordan Strategic and Comprehensive Partnership

Taking stock on the EU-Jordan Strategic and Comprehensive Partnership

EBRD and EU support the expansion of Aqaba Digital Hub in Jordan

Quote(s)

 Jordan remains a key stabilising force in a challenging region, and we deeply value its constructive role in its neighbours. Today, we see clearly how our Strategic and Comprehensive Partnership is delivering concrete results on the ground - turning shared commitments into tangible benefits for people. The agreements signed today will further boost investment and strengthen EU–Jordan economic ties, creating new opportunities for growth and jobs. Looking ahead, the Pact for the Mediterranean will offer a powerful framework to unlock even greater potential - bringing our regions closer together and building a more resilient, connected, and prosperous future for all. 

Dubravka Šuica, Commissioner for the Mediterranean

Commissioners Hoekstra and Micallef meet young Europeans to discuss climate resilience

This afternoon, Commissioner for Climate, Net Zero and Clean growth, Wopke Hoekstra, and Commissioner for Intergenerational Fairness, Youth, Culture and Sport, Glenn Micallef, will jointly host in Brussels the Youth Policy Dialogue ‘Youth on the Frontlines of Climate Resilience'.

The Commissioners will engage with young people from all around Europe representing organisations working on climate-related issues and especially rural youth. The Dialogue will provide insights into the concerns and challenges young people are facing in relation to climate change, as well as their ideas on how the EU can help build a more sustainable future for the generations to come. Discussions will span across several topics, from climate education to the impact of extreme weather on health.

This Dialogue will follow last week's publication of the 2025 European State of the Climate report, which showed that Europe is the fastest-warming continent on Earth. The Commission is designing a new integrated framework for European climate resilience, set for adoption in late 2026.

In line with the Commission's Strategy on Intergenerational Fairness, Youth Policy Dialogues amplify young people's voices and engage them in policy discussions that shape their future. They are part of the Commission's commitment to empowering young voices and involving them in EU policymaking, as set out in President Ursula von der Leyen's Political Guidelines for 2024-2029.

More information on the Commission's Youth Policy Dialogues is available online.

(For more information: Eva Hrnčířová — Tel.: +32 2 298 84 33; Anna-Kaisa Itkonen — Tel.: +32 2 295 75 01; Eirini Zarkadoula - Tel.: +32 2 295 70 65; Ana Crespo Parrondo – Tel.: +32 2 298 13 25)