Opportunity knocks? Medical oxygen and electrolysis in Europe

Medical oxygen is a growing need around the world, with supply short in many contexts. But one potential new opportunity lies in the growth of green hydrogen production.

In the years ahead, thousands of tonnes per year of oxygen are likely to be produced on hydrogen electrolysers as a ‘free’ by-product as green hydrogen ramps up. For every tonne of hydrogen produced by electrolysis, about eight tonnes of oxygen are generated.

It means that after purification a 1MW water electrolyser could produce around three tonnes per day of oxygen, in addition to about 450kg per day of hydrogen. Beneficial use of this oxygen by-product may enhance the business case for many green hydrogen projects and could improve the availability of medical oxygen and reduce the cost of healthcare.

Europe's Green Hydrogen Boom Could Unlock Life-Saving Medical Oxygen Supply

Brussels, 8 July 2025 – Europe's ambitious push towards green hydrogen production is poised to deliver an unexpected and vital secondary benefit: a potential solution to the persistent global shortage of medical oxygen. As thousands of megawatts of electrolyser capacity come online across the continent, a massive stream of oxygen – a fundamental by-product of the process – could be harnessed to bolster healthcare systems.

Medical oxygen is a critical, life-saving resource, yet its supply remains precarious in many regions, including parts of Europe, a vulnerability starkly exposed during recent health crises. The growing production of green hydrogen, produced by splitting water using renewable electricity (electrolysis), offers a novel avenue to address this shortage.

The Oxygen-Hydrogen Link: A "Free" Bonus

The chemistry is clear: for every tonne of green hydrogen produced via electrolysis, approximately eight tonnes of oxygen are simultaneously generated. While the hydrogen is the primary target for decarbonising industries like steel, chemicals, and transport, this oxygen output represents a significant, largely untapped resource.

"Currently, most of the oxygen produced in electrolysis is simply vented back into the atmosphere," explains Dr. Elara Voss, an energy analyst at the European Clean Tech Hub. "But the scale of planned green hydrogen projects changes the game. A single 1MW electrolyser, after purification, could produce around three tonnes of medical-grade oxygen per day, alongside its primary 450kg of hydrogen."

Turning By-Product into Benefit

Industry leaders and policymakers are beginning to recognise the dual opportunity. Capturing, purifying, and utilising this oxygen stream presents several advantages:

Enhanced Project Economics: Selling high-purity oxygen, especially for medical use, provides an additional revenue stream. This can significantly improve the business case for green hydrogen projects, which often struggle with high initial costs. "Monetising the oxygen co-product can shave crucial percentages off the levelised cost of hydrogen," notes a recent report by the Hydrogen Council.

Increased Medical Oxygen Security: Integrating electrolyser oxygen into regional or national medical gas supply chains diversifies sources and increases resilience against shortages. This is particularly valuable for remote hospitals or areas with less developed infrastructure.

Reduced Healthcare Costs: A more abundant and potentially locally sourced supply of medical oxygen could lead to lower costs for healthcare providers, easing budgetary pressures.

Environmental Synergy: Utilising the oxygen completes the resource loop, maximising the efficiency of the electrolysis process powered by renewable energy.

Challenges and the Path Forward

Harnessing this opportunity isn't without hurdles. Oxygen produced by electrolysers, typically using Polymer Electrolyte Membrane (PEM) or Alkaline technology, requires purification to meet stringent medical-grade standards (typically >99.5% purity, ISO 13485 certification). Investment in purification units and integration into existing medical gas logistics networks is essential.

Furthermore, the geographical alignment of large-scale electrolysers with healthcare demand centres needs consideration. Strategic planning for hydrogen hubs could incorporate oxygen offtake agreements with nearby hospitals or medical gas companies from the outset.