Compare hydrogen projects: capacity, stage and evidence
Match product, capacity basis, stage, assumptions and evidence date. MW is power; tpa is annual product output. Announced and operating projects are at different stages.
Start with the product and capacity measure
Name the product first. Tonnes per annum (tpa) is the annual mass of that product; tonnes of ammonia or methanol are not tonnes of hydrogen (H₂). Compare the same product or use a disclosed conversion basis.
MW is power, not annual output. Check whether it means electrolyser electrical input, renewable generation or an integrated system. The H2Prism project directory lists capacity and product separately.
Translate electrolyser MW into annual hydrogen output
Estimate H₂ output only when MW is electrolyser input and the electricity-use figure covers the same system. Multiply MW by 8,760 hours and annual capacity factor, then divide by system electricity use in kWh/kg H₂. The MW-to-kW and kg-to-tonne factors cancel numerically.
Fictional Projects A and B each assume 100 MW and 50 kWh/kg H₂: 50% utilization gives 8,760 tpa; 80% gives 14,016 tpa. Only utilization differs. Neither is a real project.
Actual output also depends on power availability, outages, operating limits and commissioning. Capacity factor is an assumption, not a delivery promise.
Est. hydrogen output (tpa) = electrolyser input (MW) × 8,760 h/year × annual capacity factor ÷ system electricity use (kWh/kg H₂)
| Illustrative project | Electrolyser input | Capacity factor | System electricity use | Estimated hydrogen output |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fictional Project A | 100 MW | 50% | 50 kWh/kg H₂ | 8,760 tpa |
| Fictional Project B | 100 MW | 80% | 50 kWh/kg H₂ | 14,016 tpa |
Illustrative H2Prism calculation. Annual capacity factor represents equivalent full-load utilization; no separate ramp-up or product-loss adjustment is applied. Project names are fictional.
Align the system boundary before comparing economics
Check whether electricity use includes auxiliary equipment and whether costs include compression, storage, transport or conversion. Renewable-generation MW is not electrolyser input MW.
DOE's 2024 PEM scenarios use about 57 kWh/kg system electricity. Their production costs are in 2022 dollars and exclude compression, storage, distribution and dispensing. Match product, boundary, delivery point, currency and price year; this study case is not a universal value.
Sources
DOE
Clean Hydrogen Production Cost Scenarios with PEM Electrolyzer Technology, Record 24005
Table 1: electrolyser system electricity use; LCOH results and footnotes: production boundary, 2022-dollar basis and 30-bar outlet
As of: 2024-05-20
Last confirmed: 2026-10-21
Read project stage as evidence of progress
An announcement and target operation year are plans. FID / Construction shows progress, not production. Operational is a status, not proof of annual output. Compare projects at the same stage or state the difference.
The IEA's 2025 review distinguishes announced, FID, under-construction and operational projects, and reports delays and cancellations. A stage describes evidence at that time; it does not predict delivery.
On a project page, open a section's Sources link when available and expand an entry for its link, title and dates. Overview, Technology & product, Capacity & economics, and Status & timeline group project details. Check the original owner or agency source for updates.
Sources
IEA
Global Hydrogen Review 2025: Production prospects to 2030
Production prospects to 2030: announced project schedules, project status categories, deferred start dates and IEA Hydrogen Production Projects Database (September 2025)
As of: 2025-09-12
Last confirmed: 2026-10-21
Use the same basis for both projects
Complete this checklist for both projects. Keep any unmatched basis visible as a limitation.
| Check | Match or record for both projects |
|---|---|
| Product | Same product; product tonnes are not hydrogen tonnes. |
| Capacity basis | Electrolyser input, renewable generation or integrated capacity; use one basis. |
| Output period | Annual output (tpa or ktpa); nameplate, estimated or observed. |
| Stage and date | Same stage or state the difference; target year and source date. |
| System boundary | Electricity use, conditioning and delivery point. |
| Economics | Same currency, price year, product, boundary and support treatment. |
| Evidence | Source title, link, date and the value it supports. |
A comparison checklist, not a rating of any project.
Sources
DOE
Clean Hydrogen Production Cost Scenarios with PEM Electrolyzer Technology, Record 24005
Table 1: electrolyser system electricity use; LCOH results and footnotes: production boundary, 2022-dollar basis and 30-bar outlet
As of: 2024-05-20
Last confirmed: 2026-10-21
IEA
Global Hydrogen Review 2025: Production prospects to 2030
Production prospects to 2030: announced project schedules, project status categories, deferred start dates and IEA Hydrogen Production Projects Database (September 2025)
As of: 2025-09-12
Last confirmed: 2026-10-21
Keep missing values separate from zero
A dash (—) means no value is displayed. It is not zero and must not enter a calculation as zero. If an assumption is unavailable, leave the comparison open or show a separate scenario using your own assumption.
Keep a source's publication date separate from the date you checked it. Capacity, status and target dates can change; date your comparison and revisit the sources before relying on it.
Common questions
Can I compare a 100 MW project with one reporting 10 ktpa?
Align product, MW basis, system electricity use and capacity factor. Renewable-generation MW alone is not enough.
Does FID mean a project is operating?
No. FID / Construction and Operational are separate stages. A target date does not prove production.
Is a blank project value equal to zero?
No. A dash means no value is displayed; keep it separate from zero.
Can I compare hydrogen tonnes with ammonia or methanol tonnes?
Not directly. Compare the same product or use a disclosed hydrogen-equivalent conversion and process boundary.