Ready4H2 held a webinar last week on the status of hydrogen developments in France. Thomas Muller, Director for Hydogen & New Gases in GRDF and Julien Moresmau, Coordinator of National Projects for H2 & CO2 in GRDF, presented an overview of the French hydrogen landscape, covering national policy and regulatory challenges and infrastructure developments.
The energy transition landscape in France is unfolding with a strong electricity-centred focus. Nuclear power accounts for around 41% of primary energy consumption, while natural gas represents 12%. The final energy consumption mix is more balanced with gas reaching approximately 19%, underscoring its continued role by all end-use sectors. Following the release of the National Energy Plan, gas operators have called for a more "dual-track" approach, advocating for policies that rely on both electricity and gas as complementary pillars of the energy system - particularly as gas is becoming progressively greener and can significantly contribute to decarbonisation. Industry stakeholders support a fully decarbonised gas system by 2050, although it is acknowledged that this perspective remains less visible in a policy environment largely dominated by strategies for electrification.
Currently there is no dedicated govt support for hydrogen blending, as policy prioritises 100% hydrogen. GRDF noted that, while they have proved the feasibility for blending, they do not expect blending to be implemented.
