On 23 May 2025, Lhyfe’s Bouin facility became the first in France to earn Renewable Fuel of Non-Biological Origin (RFNBO) certification under the European Union’s new green hydrogen standards. With a 1 MW electrolyser powered entirely by renewable electricity—from an adjacent wind farm using seawater—the Bouin site pioneered traceable, sustainable hydrogen production in France.

Key Highlights

  • RFNBO Certification: Validates that hydrogen is produced via water electrolysis using 100 % renewable power, and that lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions (including delivery) meet stringent EU criteria.
  • Traceability Platform: Lhyfe partnered with Atmen to deploy an automated compliance system, delivering real-time data on production inputs and precise carbon-intensity reports accessible to all certification authorities.
  • Certification Partners: CertifHy’s EU RFNBO Scheme provided the regulatory framework, while TÜV SÜD conducted the official audit—ensuring full alignment with Europe’s first approved certification schemes.
  • Roll-out Plans: Lhyfe is extending RFNBO certification to its French sites in Bessières (Haute-Garonne) and Buléon (Morbihan), and will soon certify its German facility in Schwäbisch Gmünd.

Lhyfe’s CEO, Matthieu Guesné, commented: “The market has been waiting impatiently for RFNBO hydrogen to be available in France, and that is now the case! We’re continuing our roll-out to offer fully traceable green hydrogen to industry and mobility across Europe, helping them decarbonise their activities transparently.”

Since producing its first renewable hydrogen in Bouin in 2021, Lhyfe has expanded to two 5 MW sites in France and a newly commissioned 10 MW plant in Germany. A €149 million grant now supports a 100 MW project in France, and an 800 MW pipeline is under development in Germany. Recent financing of €53 million—for Europe’s first green hydrogen project portfolio—underscores investor confidence, with Mitsui, EDPR and multiple governments backing Lhyfe’s rapid growth.

Why It Matters

RFNBO certification not only assures customers of the hydrogen’s sustainability—it also unlocks national and EU incentives designed to stimulate demand for green fuels. As Europe accelerates its energy transition, transparent, certified hydrogen production will be critical to meeting climate goals and building a robust renewables market.

Source: Renewable Energy Magazine, “Lhyfe becomes first French hydrogen producer to obtain European RFNBO certification,” 30 June 2025 (https://www.renewableenergymagazine.com/hydrogen/lhyfe-becomes-first-french-hydrogen-producer-to-20250630/)