Austria is taking a major step in its hydrogen strategy, aiming to establish itself as a central hub for green hydrogen in Europe. The Austrian government will allocate €274.8 million to support four national hydrogen projects, with the funding decision made in October 2025 and implementation handled by the state-owned promotional bank, Austria Wirtschaftsservice GmbH (aws), according to the Federal Ministry of Economy.

Economy Minister Wolfgang Hattmannsdorfer highlighted the strategic importance of the investment: “Hydrogen is not a niche topic, but a key industrial pillar for our future. With €275 million, we are investing in domestic production, creating jobs, energy independence, and long-term security. Our goal is clear: Austria should become Europe’s hydrogen hub.”

The funding forms part of Austria’s broader Hydrogen Promotion Act, which earmarks €820 million for 2024–2026 to develop hydrogen production, storage, and infrastructure. In parallel, the government is preparing the Gas Industry Act, which will establish the legal framework for a national hydrogen starter network and integration into the European hydrogen grid by mid-2026.

Austria is also pursuing a hydrogen import strategy and supporting key infrastructure projects such as the Hydrogen South Corridor, a pipeline connecting North Africa, Italy, and Austria to Central Europe. The corridor is a priority EU hydrogen route, designed to deliver industrial-scale green hydrogen to Austria and Germany by 2035.

Hydrogen plays a critical role across industries, providing high-temperature energy for steel production, serving as a raw material for chemicals, plastics, and fertilizers, and offering flexibility to the energy system by storing electricity when needed. According to the Federal Ministry of Economy, the hydrogen sector already supports around 6,000 jobs, and the new projects are expected to further boost employment and investment.

“This initiative lays the foundation for a secure, competitive, and climate-resilient energy future,” said Hattmannsdorfer, emphasizing that Austria is actively shaping the European hydrogen market through targeted investments, clear legal frameworks, and coordinated strategies.