Low-carbon hydrogen requires $600bn investment by 2050 – Wood Mackenzie
Global demand for low-carbon hydrogen expected to rise to 223mn t/yr by 2050, initially driven by use in ammonia production
Low-carbon hydrogen production will require at least $600bn in investment by 2050, according to research firm Wood Mackenzie. Global demand for low-carbon hydrogen is currently under 1mn t/yr, but is expected to rise to 223mn t/yr by 2050. “Substantial investments are required to accommodate the anticipated growth for the global low-carbon hydrogen market up to 2050,” says Flor Lucia De la Cruz, senior research analyst at Wood Mackenzie. “Developers will need to invest at least $600bn by 2050, and consumers will be required to commit to offtake hydrogen not yet contracted. The opportunity is huge.” 223mn t/yr – Global demand for hydrogen by 2050 The pipeline for low-carbon hydrogen p
Also in this section
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
28 January 2026
The development of hydrogen’s distribution system must speed up if the industry is to stand any chance of grabbing a meaningful slice of the low-carbon energy market
14 January 2026
Continent’s governments must seize the green hydrogen opportunity by refining policies and ramping up the development of supply chains and infrastructure






