Fuel Cell Superfactory: France Sparks Hydrogen Revolution!

The €100 m Aix-en-Provence “Delta” plant will deliver 30 MW of fuel-cell capacity annually, cutting reliance on imports and costs.

18 Jun 2025

Alstom has inaugurated its €100 million Delta facility in Aix-en-Provence, marking one of Europe’s largest investments in hydrogen fuel-cell manufacturing. The plant aims to produce up to 30 MW of high-power fuel cells in its first full year, targeting heavy transport sectors such as trains, buses and industrial fleets.

Europe has long depended on Asian suppliers for proton-exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cells, leaving end-users exposed to supply-chain bottlenecks and price volatility. The fully automated Delta lines, supported by a local network of parts suppliers, are designed to halve production costs and shorten delivery times, according to Frédéric Wiscart, president of Alstom France. “This is a turning point,” he said. “We’re combining automation, science and smart systems to accelerate clean mobility across Europe.”

Situated close to regional research centres, the plant doubles as an innovation hub. Engineers will test new membrane materials and stack designs on-site, seeking gains in efficiency and lifespan that could lower the total cost of ownership for operators. Alstom has already signed supply agreements with several European transit authorities and logistics providers, though volumes remain modest amid the early stage of the hydrogen economy.

Long-term viability will depend on growing fleet conversions and sustained policy support, particularly for hydrogen production and refuelling infrastructure. The European Commission’s Fit for 55 package envisages 1 000 hydrogen-fuelled buses and 20 000 refuelling points by 2030, but member states must translate targets into subsidies and planning approvals.

By localising cell manufacture, Alstom aims not only to buttress its own order book but to catalyse a wider ecosystem of electrolyser makers, tank producers and service providers. If demand growth matches policy ambition, Delta could prove a template for similar facilities across the continent, shifting Europe from fragmented imports to homegrown, scalable clean-energy manufacturing.