Nel ASA Faces Critical Test as Hydrogen Sector Struggles

The financial performance of hydrogen technology company Nel ASA reveals significant challenges, with recent quarterly results pointing to a difficult operational environment. The Norwegian firm, once seen as a pioneer in the hydrogen space, is confronting declining revenue and diminishing orders despite ongoing cost-reduction initiatives.

Nel ASA's third quarter 2025 financial report presents concerning figures across key performance indicators. The company's revenue declined substantially to 303 million Norwegian Kroner, representing a 17% year-over-year decrease. The operational performance, as measured by EBITDA, remained deeply negative at -37 million Norwegian Kroner, pushing profitability further out of reach.

Perhaps most alarming is the trend in the company's order pipeline. New orders amounted to just 57 million Norwegian Kroner during the quarter, while the total order backlog contracted for the sixth consecutive period, now standing at 984 million Norwegian Kroner.

Should investors sell immediately? Or is it worth buying Nel ASA?

Key financial highlights include:
* Revenue: 17% year-over-year decline
* EBITDA: -37 million Norwegian Kroner
* New Orders: 57 million Norwegian Kroner
* Order Backlog: Reduced to 984 million Norwegian Kroner

Industry-Wide Challenges Compound Problems

The difficulties facing Nel ASA reflect broader challenges within the European hydrogen sector. The market continues to face developmental hurdles, including project cancellations, elevated production costs, and complex logistics. The persistent chicken-and-egg dilemma between supply and demand continues to hamper industry progress.

The critical question for investors is whether Nel ASA possesses sufficient resources to navigate this challenging period. The company maintains approximately 1.8 billion Norwegian Kroner in liquid assets, providing some financial breathing room. However, the duration of this financial runway remains uncertain if order flow fails to recover in the near term.