Key changes:

• Larger auction lots: The budget per lot has significantly increased.
• Broader participation options:Fourproduct-open lots, allowing delivery of ammonia, methanol and hydrogen and one global vector-open lot for the purchase ofhydrogen.
• Updated bid-scoringmechanism:
  • 90% price + 10% optional additional quantity 
• More flexibility:
  • Lots allow hydrogen to be transported in different forms, such as ammonia or LOHC, if it is cracked/dehydrated back into hydrogen before delivery. (This applies to both the vector-open lot and the product-open lot for the delivery of hydrogen.)
  • Ramp-up phase giving bidders the opportunity to offer early volumes on a non-firm basis (put-option for suppliers)
• Regulatory clarity from the get-go: Projects benefit from clearly defined RFNBO criteria under EU Regulation
• Outcome-oriented communication:Focused on projects and bids, aimed at providing early-stage engagement with potential bidders for better preparation., e.g. “roadshow”.

Yes. Companies may bid jointly as a consortium or involve subcontractors. If no joint venturecompany has been established, the consortium is treated as aninformal working group and must appoint a representative. The contract can later be assigned to a joint venture company. Subcontractors may support project execution and participate in contract negotiations if requested.

Yes, SMEs are eligible to participate, provided they meet the financial and technical requirements set out in the tender documents. This includes demonstrating sufficient financial capabilitiesand meeting the general eligibility criteria applicable to all bidders.

Projects must supply RFNBO-compliant hydrogen or derivatives under EU regulations, have a minimum electrolysis capacity of 5 MW, and be able to deliver to Germany (or the Netherlands for the global lot).

No, securing additionalofftakers is by no means mandatory.

No. Bids must be unconditional and binding at the time of submission. This means all necessary internal approvals, permits, financing, and other project prerequisites must be secured in advance. Conditionalbidsare not permittedunderthe H2Global scheme.

No, a project cannot participate in different regional lots. Each project may only be submitted in the lot corresponding to its specific geographic location. The regional lots are tied to defined world regions—Africa, Asia, North America, and South America/Oceania—and projects must apply under the lot assigned to their respective production site.

Yes, projects may apply for both the global and a regional lot if they meet the respective eligibility criteria. Bids must relate to separate equipment or project phases to avoid double funding. Participation in one auction cannot depend on the outcome of another. (The same generally applies to possible participation in future auctions, such as the bilateral auctions currently being planned with Australia and Canada.)

Pre-certification confirms that a project complies with EU rules for renewable fuels of non biological origin (RFNBOs). It must be obtained through a voluntary scheme recognised by the European Commission. A list of recognised voluntary schemes can be obtained here.

Only top-ranked bidders are required to obtain and submit a pre-certification before contract award to ensure regulatory compliance. However, with their bids, all bidders have to submit a self-assessment of certification-readiness, detailing how they plan to meet the EU rules for RFNBOs.

It is possible to use other funding programs in addition to the H2Global scheme. But bidders must ensure that no double funding occurs. Support received under the H2Global scheme cannot be combined with other public funding for the same equipment, infrastructure, or project phase. A self-declaration confirming compliance with state aid cumulation rules is required during the application process.

Yes, routing through other countries is permitted, but final delivery must take place in Germany (in Germany or the Netherlands for the global lot).

Several projects outside Europe have already successfully obtained pre-certification by voluntary schemes recognised by the European Commission, increasing certainty of RFNBO compliance.

In the current auction, top-ranked bidders are required to present such a pre-certification before the contract is awarded.

With their bids, all bidders have tosubmita self-assessment of certification-readiness, detailing how they plan to meet the EU rules for RFNBOs.Contractual arrangements that define consequences in the event of failed certification are conceivable and may be part of the negotiation.

A delay can have different reasons, which have different legal consequences under the HPA (e.g. compensation for damages due to delay or suspension of contractual obligations in the case of force majeure). Suppliers are required to provide a performance bond to cover risks associated with non-delivery.

Yes, EU-based projects (outside Germany and the Netherlands) can participate in the Global Lot.

The Delivery Point is the location where the transfer of title and risk for the product takes place - from seller to Hintco, and then uno-actu from Hintco to HSA Customer.

The Point of Delivery has to be located in the Terminal of Delivery, which has to provide access to at least three of the Accessible Means (inland vessel, railway train, road transport by truck, pipeline; for ammonia, an ammonia cracker can act as one of the three Accessible Means).

The price cap has not been finalized. As stated in the Price and Quantity Sheet, the indicated price cap is examplary and is intended to help participants familiarize themselves with the functionality of the price and quantity sheet. A final price cap will be published along with the invitation to submit a Request to Participate.

Hintco is currently finalizing the tender documents for the Global Lot. They will most probably be published after mid-May 2025.