An electrode for gas evolution in electrolytic processes and a method for the production of such an electrode, the electrode having a metal substrate and a coating formed on the substrate, wherein the coating has at least a highly porous catalytic outer layer containing nickel oxide and nickel hydroxide, the porous outer layer having a surface area of at least 40 m2/g (BET). The catalytic layer is prepared from a Ni oxide/V oxide initial coating with subsequent leaching of V.