H2Global launches next auction round

€2.5 billion, split into five lots

Click to enlarge. H2Global’s second auction process will be split into five lots, with five separate, vector-open RFNBO import contracts to be finalised. Source: Hintco.

The second edition of H2Global’s supply-side auction is organised into five lots: four regional and one global. A minimum of €484 million has been allocated for the regional lots, and a minimum of €567 million for the global lot. Pending approval from the German parliament, the total value could increase to €3 billion. Compare this to the first auction round (won by ammonia producer Fertiglobe), as a result of which a single, €397 million contract was signed for renewable ammonia import from Egypt to the EU over seven years.

At the outcome of this second auction, it is intended for five separate agreements to be signed: one each for RFNBO exports from Africa, Asia, South American & Oceania, and North America to the EU, plus a “global” agreement originating from any eligible country.

This fifth global lot is co-funded by the governments of Germany and the Netherlands, following a commitment signed in November 2023.

Hintco is once again setting new milestones by pooling funds from different governments into a single auction, targeting both global and – for the first time – European renewable hydrogen production. In doing so, Hintco is accelerating the creation of a renewable hydrogen market and de-risking the nascent hydrogen value chain.

Timo Bollerhey, CEO of Hintco and Co-founder of H2Global, in his organisation’s official press release, 19 Feb 2025

For the first time, this latest H2Global auction is backed by funding from two governments, proving that global cooperation in clean energy is not only possible but essential. Each auction and lot accelerate the energy transition, helping to scale markets and drive investment. As the world strives to decarbonise hard-to-abate sectors, mechanisms like H2Global play a vital role in making the energy transition a reality – and with more agreements in the pipeline, momentum is only growing.

Markus Exenberger, Executive Director, H2Global Foundation, in his organisation’s official press release, 19 Feb 2025

Full details on eligibility criteria, application process, and contractual documents for the new tender is freely available from Hintco. The announcement notes that requirements differ in many ways from the initial auction. A series of hybrid and virtual roadshows is also planned for prospective bidders. Dates and locations of some in-person events have already been set: see Hintco’s website for more details.