Hydrogen limited to 3.4pc of global energy in 2050 – S&P
Conservative forecast assumes multiple constraints on growth and competition from other low-carbon solutions
Hydrogen will provide only 3.4pc of global energy in 2050 as its growth will be limited by production costs, the pace of investment and project construction, and competition from other low-carbon options such as electrification, according to new analysis by information provider S&P Global Commodity Insights. S&P’s forecast for hydrogen’s share of global energy is very much at the lower end of current projections, most of which fall within a range of 5–20pc. It describes the forecast as “conservative” compared with country and energy agency targets. Hydrogen’s role will often be as the marginal source of low-carbon supply in industries still going through the energy transition. S&
Also in this section
10 December 2025
Project developer Meld Energy ready to accelerate 100MW project in Humber region after securing investment from energy transition arm of private equity firm Schroders Capital
9 December 2025
BP and Engie abandon large-scale green hydrogen projects in Gulf state as developers in all regions continue to struggle with lack of firm offtake
5 December 2025
European Commission highlights rapid growth of Chinese production this year, as it retains strict procurement rules in latest European Hydrogen Bank subsidy auction
2 December 2025
Oil major cites deteriorating demand and a planning debacle as it abandons one of UK’s largest blue hydrogen projects






