Hydrogen in 2026: Five factors to watch

Shifts in government policy and rising power demand will shape the clean hydrogen sector as it attempts to gain momentum following a sluggish performance in 2025

1. Germany poised for growth Is clean hydrogen in Europe’s largest economy set for a breakthrough in 2026? Perhaps. The current coalition government, which took power in 2025, did not significantly cut back support for green hydrogen as some had expected. In fact, recent policy developments suggest it is determined to establish the clean energy vector at the heart of its decarbonisation strategy A new “Hydrogen Acceleration Act” declares that hydrogen projects are of “overriding public interest”. This translates into accelerated planning approval processes for hydrogen projects and curbs the ability of legal challenges to halt projects. The government is also working hard to generate demand.