EU Legislation on Renewable Hydrogen Targets and Uptake
Key Ideas
  • The REPowerEU Plan set an ambitious target for EU renewable hydrogen production and imports by 2030 to reduce reliance on Russian fossil fuels.
  • Co-legislators agreed on lower binding targets for renewable hydrogen consumption by 2030 but set mandatory targets for 2035 in industry, aviation, and maritime sectors.
  • No specific hydrogen production target was set for 2040 in European legislation.
  • The Commission estimates 3 to 6 million tons of renewable hydrogen uptake by 2030 based on mandatory targets and is working with Member States to ensure timely implementation.
The European Commission's REPowerEU Plan proposed a vision for the EU to produce 10 million tonnes of renewable hydrogen domestically and import another 10 million tonnes by 2030, aiming to decrease dependence on Russian fossil fuels. Although the binding 2030 targets under the Renewable Energy Directive were set lower than initially suggested, co-legislators established mandatory goals for renewable hydrogen consumption in industry by 2035. They also outlined pathways in the aviation and maritime sectors to advance the adoption of renewable and low-carbon hydrogen until 2050. Notably, there is no specific target for hydrogen production in 2040 within European legislation. The Commission's internal forecast predicts a renewable hydrogen uptake of 3 to 6 million tons by 2030 based on the agreed targets. To ensure the effective implementation of these targets, the Commission is collaborating with Member States to assess their National Energy and Climate Plans for aligning with the hydrogen legislation, ultimately providing the sector with the clarity needed for investment decisions.
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