Survey respondents consider green hydrogen the ultimate goal
Energy sector ranks hydrogen top priority for R&D
Some 38pc of those surveyed by law firm WBD consider hydrogen as the transition technology for which R&D is the most important
Hydrogen is emerging as the most important technology in the transition to a low-carbon economy, according to a survey of energy sector decision-makers by law firm Womble Bond Dickinson (WBD). Some 38pc of those surveyed said they considered hydrogen as the technology for which R&D is most important, followed by biofuels (29pc) and geothermal (27pc). The survey asked 170 executives and investors in the sector what they see as the key challenges to its development. Although 74pc of investors believe hydrogen distribution is too complex, less than half (41pc) of executives surveyed feel that way. Similarly 56pc of investors are worried about cost curve uncertainty, compared with 21pc of ex
Also in this section
25 February 2026
Low-carbon hydrogen and ammonia development is advancing much more slowly and unevenly than once expected, with high costs and policy uncertainty thinning investment. Meanwhile, surging energy demand is reinforcing the role of natural gas and LNG as the backbone of the global energy system, panellists at LNG2026 said
18 February 2026
Norwegian energy company has dropped a major hydrogen project and paused its CCS expansion plans as demand fails to materialise
4 February 2026
Europe’s largest electrolyser manufacturers are losing patience with policymakers as sluggish growth in the green hydrogen sector undermines their decision to expand production capacity
2 February 2026
As a fertiliser feedstock, it is indispensable, but ammonia’s potential as a carbon-free energy carrier is also making it central to global decarbonisation strategies
