Repsol Backs Estonian Electrolyser Maker Stargate Hydrogen in Strategic Push for Green Hydrogen Innovation

Repsol, Spain’s energy giant, is making waves in clean tech with its latest move—joining forces with Estonia’s Stargate Hydrogen by taking a minority stake in the startup’s €11 million Series A round. Announced on July 28, 2025, this isn’t just another corporate check-writing exercise—it’s a clear sign that big players are shifting gears when it comes to backing practical, next-gen green hydrogen solutions in a market that’s still sorting itself out.

Backing Smarter Tech: Tougher, Scalable Electrolysers

Stargate Hydrogen isn’t chasing pipe dreams—it’s building solid tech with real-world advantages. Based in Estonia, the company designs compact, containerised alkaline electrolysers—1MW modular powerhouses that focus on durability, efficient hydrogen production, and easy setup. Their secret weapon? The in-house developed “Stellar” stack system, engineered to reduce maintenance hassle and manage scale-up smoothly—even in today’s rollercoaster market.

The company just launched a new 140MW-per-year manufacturing facility right in Estonia and is aiming for 1.2GW of deployment by 2030. Now, with Repsol’s investment and industrial clout, Stargate’s rapidly moving from startup to serious contender.

Repsol Gets Real About Hydrogen

As Europe’s biggest player in grey hydrogen, Repsol has long known it can’t keep doing things the old way. The company once set a bold 1.9GW target for green hydrogen by 2030. But earlier this year, it wisely dialed it back to a more grounded goal: somewhere between 700MW and 1.2GW. Why the change of course? It comes down to cold, hard reality.

The challenges are real—high costs, slow adoption (especially in tough sectors like steel and cement), and weak short-term demand growth. Instead of bulldozing ahead with megaprojects, Repsol hit the brakes and rethought its strategy, choosing to focus on smaller, more adaptable setups, R&D, and tapping into promising young innovators. That’s where Stargate comes in.

It’s a Two-Way Street

This partnership isn’t just about Repsol writing a check and calling it a day. Stargate gains an experienced industrial partner who knows the harsh realities of the hydrogen game—refineries, infrastructure, and scaling tech under pressure. Meanwhile, Repsol gets early access to promising hydrogen production technology without having to bear all the risk upfront. It’s a smart, balanced move for both sides.

What’s more, Stargate’s rugged, scalable alkaline electrolysers offer a direct path to simplifying deployments. They can slot right into existing setups and expand when the market’s ready—no need to gamble on massive upfront investments. It’s the kind of flexibility the industry desperately needs right now.

So Why Estonia—and Why Now?

At first glance, Estonia might not jump out as a green hydrogen hotspot—but don’t sleep on it. Since gaining independence in 1991 and joining the EU in 2004, Estonia’s been on fire with digital innovation—from e-voting to national digital IDs. Now, it’s putting that same energy into clean tech manufacturing.

Stargate’s new factory isn’t just shipping out electrolysers—it’s placing Estonia on the map as a key piece of Europe’s hydrogen puzzle. With the EU pushing hard for regional resilience and tighter supply chains, a high-tech plant like this couldn’t come at a better time. Estonia is quietly stepping up, and Europe is taking notice.

Less Hype, More Strategy

Let’s face it—hydrogen still has a long way to go. Everyone agrees it’s a big piece of the decarbonization puzzle, especially where electrification falls short. But building that future isn’t about flashy promises—it’s about practical steps forward. And that’s exactly the vibe Repsol is channeling here.

Instead of throwing everything at massive, uncertain projects, Repsol sees the value in playing the long game: investing in agile, smart ventures like Stargate that can pivot with the market and grow sustainably. That’s how you build real momentum—brick by brick, not all at once.

Bottom Line? Building What Works

This move shows where the real action is heading in the green hydrogen world—toward high-efficiency, scalable hardware that gets the job done in the real world, not just in a pitch deck. With Repsol’s investment, Stargate Hydrogen is in a prime spot to shape the future of this industry. And if this partnership delivers on its promise, it could mean cleaner, smarter, more resilient energy systems for everyone. That’s not just a win for the companies—it’s a win for the planet.