Hydrogen at $110B+: Natural Hydrogen Breakthrough & Why Projects Are Failing

In this episode of The Hydrogen Podcast, we unpack three major hydrogen headlines shaping the global energy sector:

💰 Record Investments

• Over $110 billion committed across 500+ hydrogen projects
• $35 billion growth in just one year
• 50% annual growth since 2020, but only for projects with real economics & policy support

🌍 Geo-Hydrogen Discovery

• Massive hydrogen reservoir discovered near the ancient Mussau Trench
• Hundreds of hydrothermal “Kunlun pipes” up to 1,800m wide
• Suggests hydrogen reserves exist far from tectonic boundaries
• Could reshape future energy economics & supply security

🚫 Strategic Exits

• BP, Origin Energy, Air Products pull out of costly or unsupported projects
• Nearly 6 million tonnes/year of cancelled hydrogen capacity
• Lessons: demand certainty, strong offtake agreements, and viable economics are non-negotiable

⚖️ Key Takeaway
Hydrogen is moving beyond hype into disciplined growth. The winners will be projects with solid business models, demand alignment, and resilient technology.

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