Building a European renewable hydrogen economy requires a full value chain approach with a prime focus on the sectors that would benefit most from this solution, according to the Renewable Hydrogen Coalition.
The coalition – launched by WindEurope, SolarPower Europe and Breakthrough Energy in November last year – made the call in its Policy Charter released today.
The charter lays out the crucial policy foundations to enable the scaling up and market uptake of renewable hydrogen produced via electrolysis and renewable electricity, the coalition said.
In order to boost the hydrogen economy renewable-based electrification should be prioritised and accelerated where possible, while ‘priority sectors’ should be identified to form the bulk of EU’s future demand for renewable hydrogen and derived e-fuels.
Further research and innovation is also needed, the coalition said.
It also called for the acceleration and increased deployment of additional renewable generation capacity across Europe, as the pre-requisite of a flourishing renewable hydrogen industry.
Investments in renewable hydrogen infrastructure should be streamlined to avoid spending EU taxpayer money into stranded assets and carbon lock-in.
Support mechanisms should be introduced enabling the competitive uptake of renewable hydrogen and derived e-fuels in hard-to-electrify sectors, where they are most valuable.
Support for research, innovation, and demonstration should also be increased to develop the next generation of renewable hydrogen technologies.
The coalition added that a clear and stable EU regulatory framework is key to set the right market signals.
WindEurope chief executive Giles Dickson said: “Europe has committed to decarbonise its energy system. Renewable electricity will take care of most of that.
“But some sectors cannot be electrified. For them, renewable hydrogen is the missing link. Wind is already 16% of Europe’s electricity.
“But Europe will need loads more wind farms to meet the demand for renewable electricity to deliver its aspirations to be a global leader in renewable hydrogen technology and solutions”
SolarPower Europe chief executive Walburga Hemetsberger said: “Achieving the goals of the European Green Deal will require a significant scaling-up of renewable deployments across the continent.
“As the most cost-effective energy technology in history, solar is ready to contribute to this bold undertaking.
“Yet reaching full decarbonisation of Europe calls for renewable hydrogen to supplement direct electrification.
“To support job-intensive renewable-based hydrogen, we need to see stronger EU electricity grids and standardised permitting procedures. This will allow Europe to maintain its title as the world-leader in this future-proof technology.”
Breakthrough Energy vice president for Europe Ann Mettler said: “By agreeing to this policy charter, the supporters of the Renewable Hydrogen Coalition have shown they are a force to be reckoned with.
“They bring a new, entrepreneurial voice to policy debates in the European Union at a time when renewable hydrogen’s potential to deliver on the bloc’s bold climate ambitions becomes clearer each day.
“Now it’s time for EU policymakers to work with the Coalition to help fast-track development and scale-up of an innovative, future-proof industry that’s at a crucial turning point.
“Doing so can help boost the recovery, slash carbon emissions and put people to work.”