Hydrogen market in Austria

Earlier Report Observations

Austria's hydrogen market volume began the period at 32 480 thousand m³ in 2018, a year when the country positioned itself as an EU pioneer by initiating a European hydrogen initiative during its EU Council presidency. The market then contracted sharply to 23 249 thousand m³ in 2019. In 2020, the federal government set a goal for climate neutrality by 2040, emphasizing domestic renewable energy sources, which started to shape the strategic direction for hydrogen.

Market volume saw a slight recovery to 23 187 thousand m³ in 2021. The following year, the Austrian Hydrogen Strategy was published in June 2022, establishing targets for the efficient use of hydrogen in hard-to-decarbonize sectors and laying the groundwork for a new hydrogen economy. However, the total market volume continued its downward trend, declining to 22 099 thousand m³ in 2022 as the industry began a transition.

By 2023, industrial hydrogen demand was estimated at 5 TWh by 2030, with plans to build 1 GW of electrolysis capacity. The green hydrogen market, however, was still in its infancy, facing challenges from high investment costs and uncertain demand. In 2024, the EU regulatory framework for the hydrogen market was adopted, and Austria presented its Hydrogen Promotion Act to support renewable production. Despite these foundational developments, the overall market volume fell to 16 323 thousand m³ in 2024, reflecting a shift away from conventional hydrogen during this transitional phase.

Production hydrogen in Austria

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Austria's hydrogen production value showed mixed trends in recent years. After two years of decline, production increased in 2020, reaching 9 020 thousand US dollars. This figure remained nearly unchanged from 2019. Looking at the broader 2017-2020 period, production decreased by 11.7%, with an average annual decline of 4.1%. The lowest production value was recorded in 2019 at 8 976 thousand US dollars, which also saw the largest annual decline of 10.3%.

Annual dynamics of production in Austria in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

In kind, 2017-2020, K m³

Austria's hydrogen production volume declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the country produced 14 865 thousand cubic meters of hydrogen, representing a 3.0% decrease compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, production fell by 19.8%, with an average annual decline of 7.1%.

Annual dynamics of production in Austria in kind, 2017-2020, K m³

Exports hydrogen from Austria

Exports in kind, K m³

Austria's hydrogen export volumes increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the country exported 560 thousand cubic meters of hydrogen, marking a substantial 215.2% increase year-over-year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports grew by 618.7%, with an impressive average annual growth rate of 93.0%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Austria in kind, 2017-2020, K m³

Throughout the 2017-2020 period, Germany played the dominant role in Austria's hydrogen exports by volume, accounting for 81.2% of total flows. All other markets combined represented the remaining share.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Austria in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, K $ US

Austria's hydrogen export values showed significant fluctuations during the period. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 108 thousand US dollars, while exports peaked in 2020 at 257 thousand US dollars - a 2.4-fold difference between these years. The 2020 figure represented a sharp 137.6% increase year-over-year. The largest annual decline occurred in 2019 at 18.7%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Austria in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

From 2017 to 2020, Germany, Romania, and Slovenia were the most significant contributors to Austria's hydrogen export value. Germany accounted for 37.7% of exports, Romania for 15.0%, and Slovenia for 12.7%. Together, these three markets represented 65.5% of total export value.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Austria in value, 2017-2020

Imports hydrogen to Austria

Imports in kind, K m³

Austria's hydrogen import volumes declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the country imported 7 232 thousand cubic meters of hydrogen, representing a 10.7% decrease compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports fell by 24.5%, with an average annual decline of 8.9%. The highest import volume was recorded in 2018 at 14 614 thousand cubic meters, which also saw the largest annual increase of 52.6%. The largest annual decline occurred in 2019 at 44.6%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Austria in kind, 2017-2020, K m³

Between 2017 and 2020, Germany and Slovakia dominated Austria's hydrogen imports by volume, together accounting for 95.7% of total imports. Other sources each contributed relatively small shares.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Austria in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, K $ US

Austria's hydrogen import value declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the country imported approximately 2 386 thousand US dollars worth of hydrogen, representing a significant 22.0% decrease year-over-year. Over the 2017-2020 period, import value fell by 35%, with an average annual decline of 13.4%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Austria in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

During the 2017-2020 period, Germany remained Austria's primary source of hydrogen imports by value, accounting for 70.9% of total import value. The remaining volume was distributed across numerous other markets.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Austria in value, 2017-2020