This page was originally published on 08.11.2022. We have updated the radar and related texts and graphics on 20.10.2026.
Making sense of the momentum in the global hydrogen economy
Climate change and serious geopolitical concerns have made the need to wean advanced economies off fossil fuels abundantly clear. In the process, both private-sector interests and public policymakers are increasingly discovering the potential of hydrogen to advance the transition to a climate-friendly economy. However, staying on top of such a fast-moving market is no easy task.
Roland Berger has advised clients for over a decade on countless projects surrounding clean
hydrogen.
Our expertise ranges from crafting political concepts for governments and industry associations to developing strategies for all relevant sectors of industry.
The Clean Hydrogen Radar places our in-depth understanding of this dynamic market at your disposal in a clear and concise form. Distilled into sharply focused analyses, the insights we are gaining will keep decision-makers in industry and government up to speed on the latest developments as the hydrogen economy continues to accelerate.
What is the Clean Hydrogen Radar?
Roland Berger believes it is important for market players and market makers to grasp the strategic implications and direction of the
hydrogen economy.
The radar therefore takes a deep dive into the latest technological and commercial developments as well as relevant regulatory trends. Drawing on our international networks of experts, we cover developments in global key markets, breaking our analysis down into different segments:
Hydrogen strategies and national targets Government strategies and ambitions towards hydrogen adoption
Regulatory developments Regulatory developments influencing the adoption of hydrogen and derivatives
Upstream market Developments surrounding the production and supply of hydrogen and its derivatives
Midstream market Developments in the
transportation
and storage of hydrogen
Downstream market News on hydrogen demand and the many use cases along three sectors: Industry (e.g., steel, refining, chemicals), Mobility (e.g., fuel cell trucks, sustainable aviation fuels), Energy (e.g., hydrogen fueled heat and power plants)
In the quarterly radar, our experts analyze these developments, interpreting current events and bringing the bigger market picture clearly into focus. Obviously, a brief high-level summary alone cannot share the full wealth of Roland Berger’s market intelligence in this fascinating field. However, the Clean Hydrogen Radar will lay a firm foundation for strategic discussion with clients, government policymakers and the public at large – a discussion we expressly welcome!
Clean Hydrogen Radar
Highlights from the Q3 2026 update
The third quarter of 2026 reflected an increasingly selective hydrogen market. Flagship projects with secured funding and anchored offtake progressed into construction and operation, while cancellations, investor exits and restructuring continued across the wider project and electrolyzer pipeline. Policy developments also presented a mixed picture, with tighter enforcement and new demand-side programmes offset by reduced funding and delayed regulatory reviews.
The European Commission reduced the budget for the fourth European Hydrogen Bank auction to approximately USD 572 m, 61.5% below the third round, and removed the dedicated maritime and aviation basket
Spain introduced binding RFNBO quotas for road transport starting at 0.2% in 2027, while the Netherlands postponed its industrial RFNBO quota from 2027 to 2028
The EU opened infringement proceedings against 26 member states for failing to transpose the hydrogen and decarbonized gas directive, with only Italy having completed the process
China approved five regional hydrogen city clusters eligible for up to approximately USD 1.1 bn in funding, targeting end-user hydrogen prices below approximately USD 3.5/kg by 2030
Construction of the 2.2 GW Neom green hydrogen and ammonia complex was completed, with commercial operation planned for 2027
Capacity reservations on Germany planned hydrogen core network double to nearly 6 GW since May, with 10% contractually booked
Kawasaki Heavy Industries installs Europe largest gas turbine with 30MW capable of running on 100% hydrogen in Germany
US Department of Energy redirects a USD 500m Biden-era grant from a hydrogen-based green steel project to a coal blast furnace
"Clean hydrogen is coming. It is an essential ingredient in the decarbonization agenda."
What does the future hold for the hydrogen economy?
Recent market developments and world events make it clear: Industry leaders and public policymakers need to keep a very close eye on how the clean hydrogen economy unfolds going forward. So stay tuned for our next update to the Clean Hydrogen Radar. But don’t just leave it at that: Reach out and engage with us in discussing what these developments mean for your strategy and your organization.
We look forward to hearing from you!
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