Belgium Hunts for ‘White Gold’ After Giant Hydrogen Find
Deep beneath the rolling farmlands of Pontpierre, near Metz in northeastern France, lies what may be the largest natural hydrogen bubble ever discovered — an estimated 34 million tons of “white hydrogen” that could transform Europe’s energy landscape. Belgian Climate Minister Jean-Luc Crucke visited the drilling site on May 25, 2026, as Belgium launched its own national exploration program to determine whether similar reserves lie beneath Belgian soil.
A Discovery That Could Reshape Energy
The hydrogen field, discovered by French energy company Française de l’Energie (FDE), sits at a depth of 3,655 meters under extreme conditions — pressure exceeding 200 bar and temperatures reaching 100°C. The estimated 34 million tons of hydrogen represents roughly 1,100 TWh of energy, enough to cover Belgium’s total electricity consumption for 14 years.
“Two things are important,” said Antoine Forcinal of FDE, addressing the Belgian delegation at the site. “This gas is carbon-free — which is good news in the fight against climate disruption — and it’s cheaper than current industrial hydrogen. So much so that it can compete with natural gas.”
White hydrogen is naturally occurring hydrogen gas (H₂) formed by geological processes such as chemical reactions between water and iron-rich rocks (serpentinization), natural radioactivity splitting water molecules, and upwelling from deeper layers of the Earth’s mantle. Unlike green hydrogen — produced by splitting water with renewable electricity at around €10 per kilogram — white hydrogen is estimated to cost just €2-3 per kilogram, making it potentially competitive with fossil fuels.
Belgium’s Search for Subsurface Treasure
On March 27, 2026, the Belgian federal government approved the BE.Hydrogen national exploration program, allocating €1.5 million initially from EU ETS1 revenues, with potential additional funding of €1.7 million after a two-year evaluation. The Geological Survey of Belgium, part of the Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences (KBIN), is leading the research under geologist Kris Welkenhuysen.
“After a first investigation, an evaluation follows to see how much visibility we have on what might be found,” Welkenhuysen explained. “We will then look for private partners to co-invest in, for example, test drillings.”
The geological similarities between the Lorraine region and parts of Belgium are promising. Researchers are focusing on three primary areas: the old coal basins stretching from Hainaut (Wallonia) to Limburg (Flanders), where iron-bearing rocks may indicate hydrogen presence; the Brabant Massif — an ancient mountain range buried under much of Flanders where natural radioactivity in hard granite may have split water into hydrogen; and the volcanic Eifel region near the German border.
Minister Crucke has been unequivocal about the strategic importance. “10 months ago, people spoke to me about white hydrogen as if it were a utopia,” he said. “Today it’s a strategic opportunity that we must seize — cautiously, but purposefully and ambitiously. In an uncertain geopolitical context, every local energy source counts.”
Industrial Implications and Expert Perspectives
Belgium currently uses approximately 580,000 tons of hydrogen per year, almost entirely “grey” hydrogen produced from natural gas with significant CO₂ emissions. The potential replacement with zero-emission white hydrogen is significant.
Sam Schotte, a hydrogen technology researcher at VIVES University College, calculated that “if you look purely at replacing current industrial hydrogen, such a source could theoretically supply Belgium for 100 years. Without CO₂ emissions.”
However, experts caution that the path from discovery to commercial production is long and uncertain. “There are currently no developed extraction techniques like with oil and gas,” warned Adwin Martens, founder of WaterstofNet. “The entire chain still needs to be developed.”
Prof. Manuel Sintubin of KU Leuven offered an even more cautious assessment: “We currently know virtually nothing about hydrogen in the Belgian subsurface.” He estimates the process from exploration to commercial production could take 10 years or longer.
Challenges Ahead
The technical hurdles are formidable. The hydrogen sits at extreme depths under immense pressure, mixed with methane in coal layers, requiring purification. Hydrogen is a notoriously difficult molecule to handle — it can permeate metal pipes (hydrogen embrittlement), is highly flammable, and leaks can have indirect climate effects.
Prof. Joannes Laveyne, a postdoctoral researcher at UGent, captured the duality well: “It could be a gamechanger, but there is still a logistical and technical challenge ahead of us.”
What’s Next
The BE.Hydrogen program will proceed in phases. The first two-year evaluation will map the potential of the Belgian subsurface and identify zones for further exploration. If results are promising, an additional €1.7 million will be allocated, and private partners will be sought for test drilling.
Minister Crucke framed the initiative in historic terms: “Major transitions start with courageous decisions. This could permanently change our energy and industrial model.”
For a country that imports most of its energy and faces mounting pressure to decarbonize its industrial sector, the stakes could hardly be higher. Whether Belgium is truly sitting on a mountain of “white gold” remains to be proven — but for the first time, the tools are in place to find out.