Europe Urged to Fund €1B Hydrogen Exploration

Europe is investigating whether underground deposits of naturally occurring hydrogen could become an additional low-carbon energy resource. Industry groups want more public support to find out.

What happened

A coalition of more than 30 European energy organisations, led by natural-hydrogen exploration startup Mantle8, called for a €1 billion European exploration programme.

The proposed initiative would support approximately 50 exploration wells across at least ten EU member states, helping researchers and developers collect geological data and assess the scale of potential resources.

Mantle8 uses subsurface analysis and geological models to identify locations where hydrogen may be generated and trapped naturally. The coalition includes organisations across the energy and investment ecosystem.

The proposed €1 billion is an industry request. It is not an approved EU programme, a committed public subsidy or a financing round received by Mantle8.

Why it matters

Most low-carbon hydrogen strategies involve manufacturing hydrogen from water using electricity or producing it from hydrocarbons with carbon capture. Natural hydrogen could offer another route if deposits can be located and extracted economically.

But the science and commercial case remain uncertain. Exploration must establish whether viable volumes exist, how deposits form or replenish, and what environmental effects production might have.

A coordinated programme could reduce information gaps and help investors assess the market, but public spending would not itself prove commercial viability.

The bigger picture

Early energy technologies often need geological data, shared infrastructure and standards before private capital can scale deployment. The natural-hydrogen sector is seeking that foundation while facing substantial uncertainty about resource availability and cost.