Commentary: The Glaring Gap Between Hydrogen Policy and Developer Reality
November 21 2025 by VAHC
Policy is Missing the Mark for Hydrogen Developers
A recent "Question of the day" survey from H2 View has painted a telling picture of the perceived alignment between current hydrogen policies and the actual needs of developers. With over 93% of respondents expressing some level of dissatisfaction, the results point to a significant and concerning disconnect.
Analysis of the Results:
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The Majority are Dissatisfied: Only a meager 6.67% feel policies are "Well aligned." In stark contrast, the largest cohort finds them only "Partially aligned" (50.67%), followed closely by those who deem them "Poorly aligned" (30.67%) and "Not aligned at all" (12%). This overwhelming majority indicates that current frameworks are failing to meet the industry's core requirements.
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The "Poorly Aligned" Warning Signal: The high percentage in this category is a major red flag. It suggests a substantial segment of developers is facing significant operational hurdles due to existing policies. These could be related to complex bureaucracy, unclear standards, insufficient financial incentives, or a simple lack of practical feasibility.
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"Partially Aligned" – A Faint Praise: While the majority response, "Partially aligned" is not a strong endorsement. It implies that policies are only scratching the surface, hitting some minor targets but missing the critical elements needed to de-risk investments and accelerate project deployment at scale.
Implications and Recommendations:
This survey is a clear message to policymakers:
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The Need for Deeper Engagement: Policy cannot be developed in a vacuum. It must be informed by the granular, on-the-ground challenges faced by developers, from permitting to offtake agreements and grid connection.
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Practicality is Key: Regulations around safety, technical standards, funding mechanisms, and infrastructure must be flexible, transparent, and actionable. The goal should be to enable projects, not just to regulate them.
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Foster Continuous Dialogue: Establishing permanent feedback channels between government bodies, industry associations, and developers is crucial. The hydrogen landscape is evolving rapidly, and policies must be agile enough to adapt.
Conclusion:
For the green hydrogen industry to truly take off, bridging the chasm between "policy on paper" and "developer reality" is paramount. The consensus and confidence of those building and operating these projects are the ultimate metrics for a policy's success. This H2 View survey underscores a critical point: the time for more targeted, practical, and enabling policies is now
