Understanding the Role of Nuclear Energy in the Hydrogen Mix
As the world accelerates its shift to net-zero emissions, hydrogen has become central to the clean-energy conversation. Most public attention focuses on green hydrogen, produced via electrolysis powered by renewable energy—but other low-carbon forms also exist. Among them is pink hydrogen, generated through electrolysis using nuclear power.
Although both green and pink hydrogen share the same outcome—a carbon-free fuel—their production methods and energy sources differ significantly. Understanding these distinctions helps policymakers, investors, and businesses evaluate which solutions align with their sustainability goals.
This article explores how pink hydrogen is produced, its potential benefits and limitations, and how it fits within the broader hydrogen landscape—while reaffirming that Hydrogenera’s focus remains firmly on green hydrogen as the only truly renewable pathway.
What Is Pink Hydrogen?
Hydrogen production is often described using colours that reflect its energy source and environmental footprint. Grey hydrogen comes from natural gas without capturing emissions, blue hydrogen adds carbon capture and storage (CCS), and green hydrogen uses renewable electricity from wind, solar, or hydro power to split water into hydrogen and oxygen.
Pink hydrogen, also known as red or purple hydrogen, is produced by electrolysis powered by nuclear energy. Because nuclear power plants emit no carbon during electricity generation, pink hydrogen is considered low-carbon, though not renewable.
According to the World Nuclear Association, pink hydrogen refers specifically to hydrogen produced by electrolysis using electricity or heat from nuclear reactors [1]. The National Grid similarly describes it as hydrogen created from atomic power, distinguishing it from hydrogen produced from renewable sources [2].
While both pink and green hydrogen are virtually carbon-free at the point of production, the key difference lies in the energy source. Green hydrogen depends on renewables, whereas pink hydrogen relies on nuclear reactors that use uranium fuel, a finite, non-renewable resource.
How It’s Produced
In its simplest form, pink hydrogen is produced through conventional water electrolysis. An electrolyser, typically a proton exchange membrane (PEM) or alkaline system, is connected to a nuclear power plant. The reactor’s thermal energy is converted into electricity, which then splits water molecules into hydrogen and oxygen without generating carbon dioxide.
A working example is the Nine Mile Point nuclear plant in New York, operated by Constellation Energy. In 2023, it became the first U.S. atomic facility to produce hydrogen onsite using a 1.25 MW PEM electrolyser powered by electricity generated directly from the plant’s nuclear energy. The system generates around 560 kg of hydrogen per day, replacing fossil-fuel-derived hydrogen previously trucked to the site [3][4].
The project forms part of the U.S. Department of Energy’s H2@Scale initiative, which supports large-scale hydrogen demonstrations. It proves that existing nuclear assets can be retrofitted for hydrogen production, creating a new revenue stream while supporting decarbonisation [5].
Beyond standard electrolysis, researchers are investigating high-temperature steam electrolysis (HTSE) and thermochemical water-splitting processes. These methods use reactor heat in addition to electricity, potentially improving efficiency. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) estimates that using nuclear heat could reduce the electrical energy requirement of electrolysis by up to one-third [6].
Advanced reactor concepts—such as small modular reactors (SMRs) and high-temperature gas-cooled reactors (HTGRs)- may eventually enable decentralised hydrogen hubs where nuclear power produces hydrogen directly for industrial or transport use [7].
Potential Advantages
Pink hydrogen offers several technical and strategic benefits that make it appealing to certain countries.
Continuous production: Unlike renewable sources that depend on sunshine or wind, nuclear reactors provide stable, round-the-clock electricity. This allows electrolysers to operate continuously at full capacity, improving efficiency and lowering the cost per kilogram of hydrogen [8].
Low-carbon output: Although not renewable, nuclear-based hydrogen is nearly carbon-free in operation. Life-cycle analyses show emissions similar to green hydrogen, as there are no direct fossil-fuel inputs [9].
Energy security: For nations with limited renewable potential but strong nuclear capacity, pink hydrogen provides a dependable domestic hydrogen source. France, Japan, Canada, and the United States see it as a complement to renewables, ensuring baseload production and grid stability [10][11].
Industrial compatibility: Continuous hydrogen supply is essential for sectors such as steel, refining, fertiliser, and heavy transport. Nuclear-driven electrolysis can deliver that consistency without relying on variable renewable generation.
Challenges and Limitations
Despite its advantages, pink hydrogen faces several significant challenges that limit its scalability and compatibility with renewable hydrogen strategies.
High costs: Nuclear energy remains capital-intensive, and building or retrofitting reactors takes years. This makes pink hydrogen more expensive than green hydrogen in regions with abundant low-cost renewables. Current production costs typically range between USD 3 and 6 per kilogram, depending on electricity prices and technology efficiency [9].
Public perception and waste: Nuclear power faces long-standing public concerns about safety, waste storage, and potential accidents. These issues make new nuclear projects politically sensitive, particularly in the European Union, where several countries have pledged to phase out reactors.
Policy classification: Under the EU’s Renewable Energy Directive (RED III), hydrogen produced from nuclear electricity does not qualify as “renewable.” Instead, it is categorised as low-carbon hydrogen. This distinction affects access to incentives, certification schemes, and funding opportunities reserved for renewable hydrogen projects [12].
Technology readiness: High-temperature and thermochemical methods remain experimental. Large-scale deployment would require next-generation reactors and electrolysers that are still under development.
International Landscape
France
France is Europe’s strongest advocate for nuclear-powered hydrogen. Its National Hydrogen Strategy initially targeted 6.5 GW of renewable and low-carbon electrolysers by 2030, later adjusted to 4.5 GW to reflect market conditions [13][14]. President Emmanuel Macron has called nuclear energy “a major asset” in France’s plan to produce carbon-free hydrogen for industrial use.
France’s approach, however, has sparked debate within the EU, where several countries oppose including nuclear energy in hydrogen targets. Despite this, France continues to develop pilot projects linking existing reactors with hydrogen electrolysers under EDF’s leadership [15].
United States
The United States has adopted a pragmatic approach, funding nuclear-hydrogen pilots while maintaining parallel support for renewable hydrogen. The Nine Mile Point demonstration and forthcoming projects at Davis-Besse, Palo Verde, and Prairie Island are part of this portfolio [4][5].
Regulatory momentum increased in 2025 when the U.S. Treasury updated the 45V Clean Hydrogen Production Tax Credit, allowing hydrogen generated from nuclear plants to qualify for federal subsidies [16]. This policy effectively placed pink hydrogen on equal footing with green hydrogen under the U.S. incentive framework.
Canada and the United Kingdom
Canada’s Hydrogen Strategy highlights nuclear energy as a complementary low-carbon source, particularly for provinces like Ontario that operate large reactor fleets [17]. The country views pink hydrogen as a transitional pathway toward complete decarbonisation while expanding renewables.
The United Kingdom also includes nuclear within its “twin-track” hydrogen strategy, encouraging both blue and green hydrogen development. The Hydrogen to Heysham project, supported by the UK government, explores using nuclear heat and electricity to produce hydrogen for local industry [18].
Policy Perspective
Globally, pink hydrogen sits in a grey area between renewable and fossil-based pathways.
Within the European Union, the classification of nuclear-derived hydrogen has proven divisive. A coalition of nine countries—led by France—has argued for recognising nuclear hydrogen as low-carbon under the Renewable Energy Directive. Others, including Germany, oppose its inclusion, insisting that only hydrogen from renewable sources should count toward EU decarbonisation targets [12].
In contrast, the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom have adopted broader definitions, recognising nuclear hydrogen as part of their national clean hydrogen categories. These differing policies could shape future investment flows, with EU funding continuing to prioritise green hydrogen projects aligned with renewable generation.
Pink vs Green Hydrogen: Complementary, Not Competitive
Although pink hydrogen has technical merit, it cannot replace green hydrogen as the foundation of a renewable future. Nuclear power, while low-carbon, is finite and comes with issues of waste management and social acceptance.
Green hydrogen, by contrast, relies on renewable energy sources, sunlight and wind, which are both sustainable and increasingly cost-effective. The levelised cost of renewable electricity has fallen dramatically over the past decade, positioning green hydrogen as the most scalable and environmentally sustainable solution for long-term decarbonisation.
From a policy perspective, the EU and most international frameworks treat green hydrogen as the benchmark for climate-neutral production. It is the only form of hydrogen that fully qualifies under the Renewable Fuels of Non-Biological Origin (RFNBO) certification system, enabling access to EU-wide incentives, carbon-credit mechanisms, and trading schemes.
Therefore, while understanding pink hydrogen is essential from a technological and geopolitical standpoint, it should be viewed as a complementary but distinct pathway, not a replacement for renewable-based hydrogen.
Hydrogenera’s Perspective
At Hydrogenera, our mission is to advance green hydrogen as the cornerstone of a sustainable energy transition. Our electrolysis systems are designed to operate exclusively on renewable power, from solar, wind, or hydro sources—ensuring truly emission-free hydrogen production in line with EU climate objectives.
While nuclear-powered hydrogen may play a role in specific national strategies, Hydrogenera’s commitment remains focused on renewable-driven solutions that support the European Union’s green-energy vision, the Fit-for-55 targets, and the long-term sustainability of global hydrogen markets.
For More Information
To explore how green hydrogen technologies can support your organisation’s sustainability goals, visit hydrogenera.eu.
References
[1] World Nuclear Association. Hydrogen Production and Uses (2024).