Our Magazine
Brussels Morning Online Newspaper
Thursday, February 25, 2021
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
    • About Us
  • EU institutions
    • Commission
    • Parliament
    • Council
  • Europe
  • World
  • Economy
  • Culture and Society
  • In Depth
    • Ambassador’s Corner
    • The American Angle
    • Europe With Transparency
    • Sustainable Perspective
    • Place de la Bourse
    • The Macro-Economist
    • Southeast Europe
Brussels Morning Online Newspaper
  • Home
    • About Us
  • EU institutions
    • Commission
    • Parliament
    • Council
  • Europe
  • World
  • Economy
  • Culture and Society
  • In Depth
    • Ambassador’s Corner
    • The American Angle
    • Europe With Transparency
    • Sustainable Perspective
    • Place de la Bourse
    • The Macro-Economist
    • Southeast Europe
Brussels Morning Online Newspaper
No Result
View All Result
Home Opinion

Explaining the EU’s hydrogen strategy to achieve a carbon-neutral Europe

Ondřej Knotek MEP by Ondřej Knotek MEP
18 February 2021
in Opinion
Explaining the EU’s hydrogen strategy to achieve a carbon-neutral Europe

Smoking industrial chimneys at dawn. Concept for environmental protection

Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

The EU is centring hydrogen in its quest to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050, writes Ondřej Knotek MEP.

Brussels (Brussels Morning) As part of the goal to reach carbon neutrality in Europe by 2050, the European Commission introduced a hydrogen strategy to decarbonise emission-intensive industry and heavy transport. 

Its popularity, not just in Europe but worldwide, is no concoction. Hydrogen can be used as a feedstock or fuel across multiple sectors without emitting CO2 or other forms of air pollution. 

Additionally, hydrogen could be used for seasonal storage and be transported to distant demand centres. 

Its purpose is, therefore, apt and urgent.

Three-pronged approach

The EU’s hydrogen strategy for a climate-neutral Europe lays down three strategic phases all focusing scaling up both supply and demand of renewable hydrogen. Each member state has an opportunity to maximise their renewable ambitions and decarbonise industries that cannot be electrified. 

The first phase, starting this year, will revise the regulatory framework, to better suit in the approaching fuel-cell technology era. Moreover, the plan focuses on bringing the cost between low-carbon and renewable hydrogen. As both types of hydrogen are important to leverage the playing field of all member states, and clear definitions and standards should be created. Nevertheless, research and innovation in electrolysis and fuel cell technology are to be strongly endorsed to accelerate the affordability of the technology.

During the second phase, starting in 2025, the EU will focus on retrofitting the gas grid network, as supported by the recent revision of the TEN-E guidelines. The costs are estimated to be 65 billion euros for retrofitting, ensuring that each member state has access to price competitive renewable hydrogen. I very much welcome the idea that European Clean Hydrogen Alliance will establish the investment agenda. 

In my opinion, the EU should be self-sufficient in the production of hydrogen. This would keep capital within the union and make us resilient to any future market instabilities. Coming from Central Europe, where our options are limited due to our geographic location and limited options for wind and solar energy, it is important to utilise the option of nuclear and gas-based hydrogen. While natural gas hydrogen will serve its purpose during transitional periods, we have to recognise the benefit of nuclear energy when it comes to effectiveness. Moreover, nuclear produced hydrogen ensures equality between states that have and do not have offshore wind facilities. 

High uptake

I am pleased for the broad uptake of offshore wind hydrogen production, it being the most efficient method to date. Introducing hydrogen to European energy mix will deliver an integrated and flexible energy system. Moreover, the socio-economic benefits of pan-European hydrogen production are unambiguous, creating new employment opportunities for many Europeans. 

In 2021, the Commission is going to adjust the Trans-European Transport Networks (TEN-T) ,which will accelerate the deployment of different refuelling infrastructure. Additionally, the Commission is expected to deliver revision on the “Natural Gas” Directive 2009/73/EC later this year. 

In upcoming years, it will be crucial to ensure EU hydrogen self-sufficiency and the laying down of the hydrogen legislative framework, while technological neutrality should be respected to ensure that all EU regions have access to hydrogen. Therefore, synergy of offshore and local hydrogen production in all EU regions can vastly contribute to the EU’s climate transition success story. 

Tags: Brussels DirectBrussels LatestMain-SliderMEP
Ondřej Knotek MEP

Ondřej Knotek MEP

Ondřej Knotek is a Czech politician elected as a Member of the European Parliament in 2019. Knotek has served on the Committee on Regional Development and in 2020 joined the Special Committee on Beating Cancer.

Latest post

Spain announces billion-euro package to aid pandemic-hit businesses

Spain announces billion-euro package to aid pandemic-hit businesses

2 hours ago
Iraqi preacher found guilty of supporting terrorism in Germany

Iraqi preacher found guilty of supporting terrorism in Germany

2 hours ago

Most Read

  • Georgia committed and ready for NATO membership

    Georgia committed and ready for NATO membership

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • The EU will not learn to speak the language of power as long as Germany does not

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • For US Cybersecurity China is a bigger concern than Russia

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Consumption of plant-based alternatives is disconcerting to meat and dairy industries

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Biden Administration opens the door to international green energy know-how

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0

Subscribe
Facebook Twitter Youtube LinkedIn

About Us

Brussels Morning is a daily online newspaper based in Belgium. BM publishes unique and independent coverage on international and European affairs. With a Europe-wide perspective, BM covers policies and politics of the EU, significant Member State developments, and looks at the international agenda with a European perspective.

Category

  • Ambassador’s Corner
  • Commission
  • Council
  • Culture and Society
  • Diplomacy
  • Economy
  • EU Institutions
  • Europe
  • Europe With Transparency
  • Features
  • In Depth
  • Member States
  • Middle East Eye
  • Opinion
  • Our pick
  • Parliament
  • Place de la Bourse
  • Southeast Europe
  • Sustainable Perspective
  • The American Angle
  • The Macro-Economist
  • Uncategorised
  • US Elections
  • World

More info

  • About Us
  • Advertising
  • Cookies Policy
  • Contact Us
  • FAQ
  • Jobs

Brussels Morning Newspaper - All Rights Reserved © 2020

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • About Us
  • EU Institutions
    • Parliament
    • Commission
    • Council
  • Europe
  • World
  • Member States
  • Economy
  • Culture and Society
  • In Depth
    • Ambassador’s Corner
    • Europe With Transparency
    • Place de la Bourse
    • The Macro-Economist
    • Sustainable Perspective
    • The American Angle
    • Southeast Europe
  • Magazine

Brussels Morning Newspaper - All Rights Reserved © 2020

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password?

Create New Account!

Fill the forms below to register

All fields are required. Log In

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In
We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies.
Cookie settingsACCEPT
Privacy & Cookies Policy

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled

Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.

Non-necessary

Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.

SAVE & ACCEPT