On Friday 20 November, the German Presidency of the Council of the European Union sent the Member States new draft conclusions on the establishment of a hydrogen market in Europe.
Some changes are to be noted compared to the first draft conclusions proposed by Berlin on 19 October (see EUROPE 12589/16), just over 3 months after the presentation of the EU Hydrogen Strategy (see EUROPE 12523/1).
In particular, this new version places greater emphasis on giving priority not only to energy efficiency (‘energy efficiency first principle’), but also to renewable hydrogen (i.e. hydrogen produced by electrolysers from electricity from renewables) and direct electrification from renewable sources.
In addition, it now underlines the need to “promote investments in research and innovation projects at European, national and regional levels aimed at tapping the potential of safe and sustainable low-carbon technologies for the production and application of hydrogen, particularly from renewable sources”.
The Presidency also gave details of the EU Council’s expectations regarding the forthcoming revision of the Regulation on the trans-European energy networks (TEN-E). It proposes to Member States to invite the Commission to use this review to support the development of hydrogen networks “where justified by reliable and sustainable demand, preferably on the basis of repurposing of existing gas infrastructure, where it is the cost-efficient solution”.
Another addition: the new draft conclusions now call on the Commission to amend the European Regulation (1099/2008) on energy statistics to include hydrogen as an individual product in these statistics.
In addition, the text now includes a reference to less connected or isolated regions, such as islands, for which “specific solutions” must be found for the development of a sustainable market for hydrogen and related infrastructures.
Finally, while the draft conclusions still insist on the importance of developing renewable energies to supply the electricity needed to produce renewable hydrogen, it no longer specifically mentions offshore wind power, but refers to “the most cost-effective renewable sources”.
The Presidency would like these conclusions to be adopted by written procedure before the informal meeting of Energy Ministers on 14 December. The draft conclusions will thus be discussed by the Member States’ Ambassadors to the EU (Coreper) on Friday afternoon, 27 November, with a view to reaching agreement and then launching the written procedure.
See the draft conclusions: https://bit.ly/3q24tUc (Original version in French by Damien Genicot)