Optimizing Value for Public Investment Instruments in Low-carbon Hydrogen Industries

Low-carbon hydrogen is a potential contributor to the goals defined in the Paris Agreement, i.e. limiting the increase in the global average temperature to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels. The transformation of hydrogen production is a part of this effort, as current production methods in the hydrogen industry are carbon-intensive. To achieve net-zero scenarios, hydrogen production and consumption will need to change. Creating a pipeline of projects plays a central role in driving overall costs down. However, notwithstanding the impressive targets and project announcements that have been made, few low-carbon hydrogen projects have reached the final investment decision stage. It is necessary to design a set of policy tools to promote low-carbon hydrogen investment. To that end, we assess the matching process between the potential supply of capital and the demand for capital associated with projects. This paper looks at the problem from the point of view of financial closure of those projects.