Belgium's New Government Supports Green Hydrogen for Oil Refining and EU Climate Targets
Key Ideas
- Belgium's new government, led by Bart De Wever, is supportive of various forms of low-carbon hydrogen production.
- The government aims to allow green hydrogen's use in oil refining without restrictions, contributing to the EU's renewable fuel targets.
- Plans include creating domestic hydrogen infrastructure, connecting with neighboring countries, and transposing RED III into national legislation.
- Belgium seeks to act as a hub for energy monitoring and price regulation in collaboration with nearby nations.
Belgium has established a new federal government under the leadership of Bart De Wever, who represents the New Flemish Alliance (N-VA). The administration has pledged its backing for all types of low-carbon hydrogen production. This support extends to domestic hydrogen pipelines and storage, as well as fostering connections with neighboring countries to facilitate energy price monitoring and regulation. The government plans to align with the updated Renewable Energy Directive (RED III) and enable the use of green hydrogen in oil refining without constraints. This move is geared towards aiding the EU in achieving its target of having 1% of transport fuel sourced from renewable fuels of non-biological origin (RFNBOs) by 2030. By incorporating green hydrogen and its derivatives into this goal, Belgium aims to bolster its renewable energy portfolio. Additionally, the government intends to advocate for a relaxed definition of RFNBOs at the EU level. Overall, Belgium's stance on green hydrogen and its commitment to supporting renewable energy initiatives signal a positive step towards achieving ambitious climate targets.