Urgent Call for Renewable Hydrogen Development Ahead of Clean Industrial Deal Publication
Key Ideas
- The Hydrogen Council, Hydrogen Europe, and the Renewable Hydrogen Coalition urge the Brussels Commission to enhance funding for renewable hydrogen and stimulate demand ahead of the Clean Industrial Deal publication.
- The Clean Industrial Deal aims to boost the competitiveness of industries by simplifying procedures and allocating investments for energy-intensive sectors, aligning with the Draghi report on Europe's competitiveness.
- Priorities outlined include strengthening financial instruments, supporting the deployment of renewable hydrogen, developing pilot markets for sustainable products, and simplifying funding application processes while enabling cumulation of financial aid.
- The letter warns that without streamlining measures, scaling up renewable hydrogen production will be challenging, potentially harming industrial, aviation, and maritime sectors.
In a collaborative effort, the Hydrogen Council, Hydrogen Europe, and the Renewable Hydrogen Coalition have penned a joint letter to the Brussels Commission advocating for increased support for renewable hydrogen and strategies to boost demand. This call-to-action comes shortly before the anticipated release of the Clean Industrial Deal, scheduled for 26 February, which aims to enhance industry competitiveness through procedural simplification and targeted investments. The associations emphasize the importance of strengthening financial instruments, minimizing risks along the value chain, and promoting the emergence of pilot markets for sustainable products like green steel and decarbonized cement and fertilizers. They also stress the need for streamlining financial mechanisms, permitting the accumulation of financial assistance, and simplifying funding procedures to facilitate the deployment of renewable hydrogen. The letter warns that without these enhancements, the scaling up of renewable hydrogen production may face significant obstacles, potentially impacting various sectors including industry, aviation, and maritime. The associations assert that addressing bureaucratic challenges is crucial for the success of renewable hydrogen initiatives. This initiative aligns with previous reports on Europe's competitiveness, signaling a concerted effort towards sustainable energy practices within the industrial sector. Furthermore, the associations offer a LinkedIn newsletter to keep stakeholders updated on the latest hydrogen developments, encouraging regular engagement with hydrogen-related news and updates.