A Small Hydrogen Test With Big European Stakes

Portugal trials 10% hydrogen in its gas grid, setting a benchmark that could guide Europe's clean energy transition

25 Jun 2025

Portugal has moved from talk to action in Europe’s energy transition. This summer, regulators approved a trial that will see up to 10 percent hydrogen blended into the country’s natural gas grid over the next 18 months.

The pilot, led by transmission operator REN and distributor Portgás, is designed to answer a pressing question: can existing gas networks safely carry cleaner fuels without costly overhauls? Engineers will track how pipelines, meters, and household systems cope, while regulators monitor safety and reliability.

The stakes go well beyond Portugal. If blending works, legacy grids may prove to be an asset rather than a liability, speeding up decarbonization and buying time before dedicated hydrogen networks are built. REN frames the project as a practical way to cut emissions from homes and industries today, while ERSE, the energy regulator, calls it a vital test bed for policy. Portgás insists consumers will notice no difference in their daily supply.

Across Europe, governments remain split on how much hydrogen can be blended safely, and whether it meaningfully lowers emissions at low volumes. Portugal’s benchmark could help resolve that uncertainty, influencing rules and shaping investment in hydrogen production.

Skeptics warn that small blends may achieve little beyond symbolism, and that appliances may not be universally compatible. Still, many in the sector argue that this is precisely the point of such experiments: to uncover limits, generate data, and build confidence.

For now, Portugal’s trial is less a revolution than a rehearsal. But as Europe searches for credible routes to a low-carbon future, even modest experiments matter. The continent will be watching closely to see whether this blend can ignite a broader shift.