This chapter investigates the production of renewable hydrogen by electrolysis, namely the permits that are required to put an electrolyser on the ground. This will be investigated with the help of a case study on Finland. In Finland, permitting practices for renewable hydrogen electrolysers are only just starting to develop. Permitting procedures are still fragmented and there is no so-called one-stop-shop for hydrogen electrolyser permits. Several different permits by different authorities, both municipal and state authorities, are required and the permit procedures are usually independent of each other. These complicated permit procedures can be a challenge for setting up new hydrogen electrolysers as the pitfalls and challenges of the permit process, namely complicated bureaucracy as well as long permit handling times, can deter hydrogen investors. The chapter describes possible solutions to this problem and also sketches the actions taken by the government to tackle it. The conclusion is that a number of improvements to the system are currently being implemented, but their actual effects are yet to be seen and challenges still exist.

This chapter discusses the permitting regime for electrolysers in Aotearoa New Zealand. Because green hydrogen is typically converted from water via electrolysis, hydrogen projects are dependent upon electrolysers – and, therefore, upon obtaining the necessary consents to build and operate these. However, New Zealand’s resource consent rules do not specifically provide for permitting electrolysers. Instead, resource management legislation provides for consent to be obtained for use of those resources that will be needed for (and impacted by) the electrolyser operation, with health and safety rules and industry standards prescribing the specifications for electrolysers and the way these can be used. The chapter asks what permits will be needed and what processes must be followed in order for an electrolytic hydrogen project to receive resource consent. While examining the consenting process, the chapter also considers whether New Zealand’s existing regulations can support its hydrogen aspirations.