© Yara

The French government has finalized a €149 million grant to support Lhyfe’s Green Horizon project in Le Havre, marking a major step in the country’s push for industrial decarbonization. The 100MW green hydrogen production facility is scheduled to start operations in 2029, with a projected output of 34 tons of hydrogen per day.

This state support, confirmed through a formal signature from the Prime Minister, comes under the EU’s Important Projects of Common European Interest (IPCEI) framework. The French developer had already been awarded the grant in March 2024, but is now approved to receive the first €18 million tranche in June. That payment will reimburse investments already made since 2022. Further disbursements will follow upon completion of agreed milestones over the next four years.

Strategic Location Near Yara’s Industrial Site

The Le Havre plant will be located near a major industrial site operated by Norwegian company Yara, which manufactures ammonia, urea, and AdBlue. Although no offtake deal has been signed, Lhyfe says Yara is “interested in and supports” the hydrogen project.

By integrating pipeline delivery directly to industrial sites, the project is designed to reduce reliance on fossil fuels in one of Europe’s largest port areas. According to Matthieu Guesné, founder and CEO of Lhyfe, “By contributing to the decarbonization of Le Havre industrial-port area starting in 2029, the Green Horizon project marks a real turning point — one that is essential if we are to decarbonise our industrial uses on a large scale.”

Key Milestone for France’s National Hydrogen Strategy

The Green Horizon project is expected to help France approach its revised hydrogen production targets. The French government recently adjusted its 2030 goal from 6.5GW to 4.5GW of installed electrolyzer capacity as part of an updated national hydrogen strategy. Guesné welcomed the announcement, saying, “It now provides the clarity and long-term visibility that stakeholders across the hydrogen ecosystem need to make informed decisions and move forward.”

With the Le Havre plant, Lhyfe is set to exceed 100MW in installed electrolysis capacity. This project follows Lhyfe’s track record of delivering green hydrogen in Europe, where it already operates four production sites and manages nearly 70 transport containers. The company made more than 470 deliveries to clients in eight countries in 2024 alone.