- Pink hydrogen refers to hydrogen gas (H₂) that is produced via the electrolysis of water, using electricity generated from nuclear power. Like other types of hydrogen produced through electrolysis (such as green or yellow hydrogen), pink hydrogen involves splitting water (H₂O) into its elemental components—hydrogen and oxygen—through the application of an electric current:
- 2H₂O → 2H₂ + O₂
- What distinguishes pink hydrogen is the source of electricity used in the electrolysis process. Instead of relying on renewable energy (green hydrogen) or mixed grid electricity (yellow hydrogen), pink hydrogen uses nuclear energy, which provides a low-carbon, stable, and consistent power supply. Because nuclear plants operate at high capacity and produce minimal direct greenhouse gas emissions, pink hydrogen is considered a low-carbon or even near-zero-carbon option.
- The main advantage of pink hydrogen lies in its reliability and scalability. Nuclear power provides a constant baseload energy supply, unaffected by weather or time of day—unlike intermittent renewables such as solar and wind. This makes pink hydrogen particularly valuable for continuous industrial processes or applications that require steady hydrogen production, such as in chemical manufacturing, refining, or long-haul transportation.
- In addition to electricity, heat from nuclear reactors—especially high-temperature reactors (HTRs)—can potentially be used to make hydrogen production more efficient. Thermochemical methods such as the sulfur–iodine cycle or hybrid processes that combine electricity and high-grade heat may increase hydrogen yield while reducing energy losses, thus enhancing the overall efficiency of pink hydrogen production.
- However, the use of nuclear energy in hydrogen production raises several important concerns and debates. While nuclear power is low in carbon emissions, it is often controversial due to safety, waste management, and public perception. The risks associated with nuclear accidents (e.g., Chernobyl, Fukushima), the long-term challenge of radioactive waste disposal, and the high cost and long construction times of nuclear facilities are significant obstacles to expanding pink hydrogen infrastructure in many countries.
- Despite these challenges, pink hydrogen is being considered by countries with existing or planned nuclear power capacity as a strategic part of their hydrogen economy. For example, France, the United Kingdom, and Canada have explored using their nuclear fleets for hydrogen production, while newer reactor designs—such as small modular reactors (SMRs)—are being proposed specifically with hydrogen co-production in mind.
