18 December 2024, Hintco is pleased to announce the official notification under EU State aid rules of the second round of H2Global auctions with a budget of up to EUR 3 billion.

Germany’s BMWK and the Netherland’s KGG have combined their resources, committing up to EUR 2.5 billion 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 hydrogen production, utilization, and international trade, further bridging the gap between supply and demand.

Timo Bollerhey, CEO of Hintco and H2Global co-founder, welcomed the announcements, stating: “The second round of H2Global auctions, along with Germany’s joint commitments with the Netherlands, marks a transformative moment in building a thriving hydrogen 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 hydrogen 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 hydrogen 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 hydrogen 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 hydrogen. 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. Interested producers or consumers of hydrogen and hydrogen derivatives are encouraged to participate in this groundbreaking initiative and to register to be notified of updates:

Hintco remains dedicated to its role as a trader committed to creating markets for low-carbon fuels, leveraging its expertise for the efficient implementation of the H2Global funding mechanism.