Italgas Secures ISCC RFNBO Certification for Hyround Green Hydrogen Production

Imagine a gas utility doing a complete 180 and becoming a zero-emission fuel trailblazer. That’s exactly what Italgas, Italy’s biggest gas distributor, just pulled off. It scored ISCC EU RFNBO certification for its Hyround plant in Sestu, Sardinia—proof that its green hydrogen ticks all the boxes under the EU’s RED III rules.

This isn’t just a shiny badge. By swapping pipelines for electrolysis units, Italgas is fully aligned with Europe’s push for sustainable energy and serious industrial decarbonization. Now it can offer hydrogen that cuts lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions by at least 70% compared to fossil fuels.

Certification and Regulatory Landscape

Under RED III, the EU laid down some hard targets: by 2030, 1% of all transport fuels and 42% of industrial hydrogen must come from Renewable Fuels of Non-Biological Origin (RFNBOs). In December 2024, the European Commission tapped ISCC EU to audit and certify RFNBO producers. Since then, they’ve handed out fifteen certificates after a pilot run with over twenty audits starting in 2022. RFNBO covers not just green hydrogen but a whole suite of e-fuels—e-methanol, e-kerosene and e-methane—bringing clarity and trust to low-carbon options.

Early adopters include:

• Nobian, Europe’s first big-scale (100 MW) player.
• Everfuel in Denmark.
• Grøn Brint A/S, marking ISCC’s entry into Danish certification.

Now Italgas is among those pioneers, underlining its commitment to compliance and market readiness.

How It Works: RFNBO and Electrolysis

Producing green hydrogen begins with electrolysis: renewable power—think wind farms, solar parks or hydropower—splits water into hydrogen and oxygen. The EU’s RFNBO rulebook demands three things:

1. Additionality: the electricity must come from newly built renewable facilities.
2. Temporal correlation: hydrogen must be made when clean power is actually flowing.
3. Geographical correlation: production happens in the same grid zone as the renewable source.

Nail those criteria and prove you cut at least 70% of greenhouse gases on a full Well-to-Wake life-cycle basis, and you earn the RFNBO seal. It guarantees your hydrogen isn’t just shifting emissions around or leeching off existing grids.

Strategic Momentum for Italgas

By diving into hydrogen production, Italgas can tap into premium Northern European markets where certified low-carbon fuels fetch top prices. This isn’t a side hustle—it’s a key pillar of its strategy to boost Europe’s energy security by cutting reliance on imported fossil fuels. With binding RFNBO quotas on the horizon, Italgas is primed to partner with electrolyzer makers, component suppliers and industrial off-takers.

Regional Advantage in Sardinia

Sardinia, long prized for its mining history and Mediterranean charm, is reinventing itself as a hub for sustainable energy. The island’s high solar irradiance and steady winds are perfect for zero-emission electrolysis. By planting Hyround in Sestu, Italgas checks the geographical correlation box and injects fresh jobs and investment into the local economy—shifting the focus toward clean tech over heavy industry.

Competitive Horizon

The race for certified green hydrogen is heating up. While schemes like CertifHy still have a seat at the table, ISCC EU has surged ahead with fifteen RFNBO certificates already issued. Every new facility broadens a pan-European network stretching from Denmark to Italy. Utilities, refiners and industrial giants are all watching Italgas—it’s a clear signal that green hydrogen is moving from niche experiment to mainstream offering.

Building the Supply Chain

An RFNBO stamp doesn’t just validate the fuel—it kick-starts an ecosystem. With Hyround certified, Italgas can lock in deals with electrolyzer manufacturers, component suppliers and engineering firms to ramp up production. It also draws in infrastructure investors—pipelines, compression stations, fueling hubs—so the entire value chain can meet demand from transport and industry.

Policy Drivers and EU Goals

European policy is the wind in RFNBO’s sails. RED II laid the groundwork, but RED III flipped the switch, making renewable fuels mandatory. Initiatives like Fit-for-55 and RePowerEU aren’t just about cutting emissions—they’re about energy sovereignty and economic resilience. For Italgas and its customers, certified hydrogen is a golden ticket to incentives, grants and markets that penalize unverified carbon footprints.

Industry Impact and Collaboration

As major oil and gas players eye green hydrogen, they’ll be circling certified producers. Refineries and chemical plants need low-carbon feedstocks to decarbonize processes like ammonia and methanol production. Italgas’s certification could open doors to offtake agreements, joint ventures and co-development projects where sustainability credentials are non-negotiable.

Environmental Payoffs

Choosing RFNBO-certified hydrogen delivers real climate wins. Compared to grey hydrogen from natural gas, green hydrogen made via renewable-powered electrolysis emits about one-tenth the carbon. Those savings—from Well-to-Wake—help Europe nail its Fit-for-55 and RePowerEU targets for reduced emissions and bolstered energy resilience.

Outlook and Next Steps

Armed with its ISCC EU RFNBO badge, Italgas is set to forge partnerships across the value chain—from infrastructure operators to heavy-duty transport and industrial customers. As EU regulators fine-tune rules on hydrogen pipelines and grid integration, certified leaders like Italgas will help shape the next wave of industrial decarbonization. For customers, that means steady supply, transparent carbon accounting and a clear roadmap to 2030 goals.

About Italgas

Italgas is Italy’s top gas distribution company, serving millions across the country. Now it’s extending into renewable tech and energy services to drive the shift to a decarbonized economy. Its Hyround plant in Sardinia marks the company’s first ISCC EU RFNBO-certified green hydrogen project.