Clean hydrogen, EU prepares 20 million tons of H2 plan

Clean hydrogen in Europe, the supply chain teams up

(Sustainabilityenvironment.com) – The European Union wants to speed up on clean hydrogen. For this reason, it is defining a dedicated plan for the carrier to be included in the expected package RepowerEU. The goal is to increase the availability of hydrogen in the Old Continent, both through domestic production and through imports from abroad.

This was explained by Frans Timmermans, Vice-President of the European Commission, to the public at the World Hydrogen Summit 2022 in Rotterdam.

“On 18 May, the European Commission will present detailed plans to repower Europe with clean energy, and we will be very concrete that this means more green hydrogen” said Timmermans. “RepowerEU will include a dedicated Hydrogen Accelerator plan. We want to see 10 million tonnes of green hydrogen produced in Europe and 10 million tonnes imported”.

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According to the EU Commissioner, the result would be an infrastructure map identifying the key elements to be built. From production systems to those of collection, storage and transport. And the proposal of new regulations dedicated to the carrier, also on the certification front. “We will launch new financing instruments to help sectors such as industry and transport use the hydrogen we produce and import”.

In fact, the first steps to increase EU engagement in the field and uses of hydrogen have already been taken. In recent weeks, the European Commissioner for the Internal Market, Thierry Breton, has reached an agreement with 20 manufacturers of electrolyzers. The agreement aims to bring the target of 10 million tonnes of clean H2 generated in the Union as close as possible. A volume that will necessarily require the installation of 90-100 GW of electrolyzers in just seven and a half years. As a comparison, today Europe has only 150 MW.

On the front of the import instead, great help will arrive from the port of Rotterdam. The harbor authorities are tightening a series of collaborations with present companies on the territory and Exporting Countries with the objective to resupply from 2030 Europe North-Western with 4,6 million tons annually of H2. “The new ambitions of the port-it has added Timmermans – will carry almost 40% of the imported green hydrogen of which Europe needs”.