Pink Hydrogen from Nuclear Power Fuels Industrial Decarbonisation
Reliable, low-carbon hydrogen production from nuclear energy set to transform heavy industry.
As the world races to meet ambitious carbon reduction targets, a promising solution is emerging pink hydrogen produced using nuclear power. Unlike traditional grey hydrogen from fossil fuels or green hydrogen reliant on intermittent renewables, pink hydrogen offers a stable, low-carbon fuel sourced from the constant output of nuclear reactors, powering industrial decarbonisation with unmatched reliability.
Pink hydrogen is generated by coupling advanced hydrogen electrolysers—such as PEM and alkaline systems—with electricity from nuclear plants. This process splits water into hydrogen and oxygen using clean nuclear power, delivering continuous, emissions-free hydrogen 24/7. This positions pink hydrogen as a vital player in the clean hydrogen economy, especially for industries requiring a dependable supply for heavy-duty applications.
Historically, hydrogen production has been dominated by grey hydrogen, which contributes significantly to global CO₂ emissions. While green hydrogen from wind and solar has gained traction, its variability poses challenges for consistent industrial use. Pink hydrogen leverages existing nuclear infrastructure to overcome these limitations, enabling a low-carbon hydrogen supply that supports stable energy markets and industrial growth.
Globally, countries including the US, France, Japan and South Korea are investing heavily in pink hydrogen projects, encouraged by policy incentives such as carbon pricing, clean hydrogen hubs, and tax credits. This expanding market presents a strategic diversification opportunity for nuclear operators, enabling on-site hydrogen production that supports sectors such as steel manufacturing, fertiliser production and refining.
However, scaling pink hydrogen also requires addressing critical challenges. These include enhancing hydrogen infrastructure—upgrading pipelines, storage and transport networks to handle hydrogen’s unique properties—and ensuring stringent nuclear safety and waste management practices. Public engagement and transparent communication will be essential to foster acceptance and trust.
Pink hydrogen complements renewable energy by providing a stable baseload supply that mitigates the intermittency of wind and solar power, ensuring consistent hydrogen availability and predictable pricing for industrial consumers.
Policy frameworks such as the US Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, the Atlantic Council’s Nuclear Energy Policy Initiative, and Europe’s RePowerEU are catalysing pink hydrogen development through funding, regulatory support and cross-sector partnerships. As electrolyser technologies advance and pilot projects move towards commercial scale, pink hydrogen is poised to become a cornerstone of the global hydrogen economy by 2027.
By unlocking the full potential of nuclear power for clean hydrogen production, pink hydrogen offers a compelling pathway to industrial decarbonisation, helping to meet net-zero targets while fostering energy security and economic growth.
