Airbus has joined the world’s largest clean hydrogen infrastructure investment fund, managed by Hy24 – a joint venture between Ardian, a world-leading private investment house and FiveTHydrogen, an investment manager specialising in clean hydrogen investments.
1. Airbus’ commitment to reduce emissions
Hy24’s investment fund will provide financial capital to back credible, large-scale green hydrogen infrastructure projects world-wide. “Airbus’ involvement assures its commitment to the scaling up of a global hydrogen economy, a prerequisite for the successful entry-into-service of its zero-emission commercial aircraft by 2035”, the aircraft manufacturer said in a statement.
Joining a fund of this magnitude demonstrates Airbus’ continuously active role in infrastructure investments for the production, storage and distribution of clean hydrogen worldwide.
Karine Guenan, VP ZEROe Ecosystem, Airbus
Airbus’ VP for the ZEROe Ecosystem highlighted how the company has been actively involved in making hydrogen more accessible on a global scale and that this partnership further demonstrates that commitment. “Since 2020, Airbus has partnered with numerous airlines, airports, energy providers and industry partners to develop a stepped approach to global hydrogen availability”, Guenan said.
Airbus estimates that a significant number of requirements need to be met for the aviation industry transitions to meet its net-zero carbon emissions goal by 2050 and that investing in such funds offers complimentary access to direct partnerships shaping the new energy ecosystems.
2. Clean hydrogen
Hy24 is well-positioned to identify and accelerate the development of clean-hydrogen infrastructure for companies to meet today’s needs and ensure tomorrow’s transportation and logistics.
Pierre-Etienne Franc, CEO of Hy24
While hydrogen is promoted today as a green alternative for traditional fuels, the truth is that only 1% of the global production is actually “green”, while the rest still uses fossil fuels for production. The process of synthesising hydrogen accounts for 830 million tonnes of CO2 emissions per year, according to a 2019 International Energy Agency report, which is the equivalent to the combined output of the UK and Indonesia.
“We are delighted that Airbus has joined the fund along with other key industrial and financial investors,” said Pierre-Etienne Franc, the CEO of Hy24. “Hy24 is well-positioned to identify and accelerate the development of clean-hydrogen infrastructure for companies to meet today’s needs and ensure tomorrow’s transportation and logistics.”
Neither Airbus nor Hy24 have disclosed the amount of the investment so far, however, Hy24’s website reveals they have received a total of €600 million of investments in clean hydrogen projects and a further €1 billion of allocations for its ‘Clean H2 Infra Fund.’
