How do we power our lifestyle? For our cars, homes and factories, Europeans need to slash high bills and break free from Russian gas. Hydrogen is sold as the magic answer. And the EU is betting big on it.
The European Commission just announced a list of 235 energy projects eligible for fast-track funding.
It includes 100 hydrogen projects, with a total investment of over €80 billion.
That is a big budget for the energy transition.
But there is a catch. Critics warn that 90% of these hydrogen projects were submitted by gas operators.
They worry the EU might be financing hydrogen-ready pipes that will actually carry dirty fossil gas for years, because the green supply is simply not there yet.
That could be seen purely as greenwashing.
Ideally, we want green hydrogen — made cleanly from water and renewable electricity. But today, most hydrogen is "grey" — coming from fossil gas in a process that pumps tons of CO2 into the air.
Are we building a billion-euro bridge to a greener future... or just a lifeline for the gas industry?
Watch the Euronews video in the player above for the full story.