The Choose Renewable Hydrogen initiative has written to the European Commission ahead of publication of the EU hydrogen and energy system integration strategies later this week calling for 100% renewable-based hydrogen to be prioritised and supported by the strategies.
Choose Renewable Hydrogen currently includes 10 companies and associations – Akuo Energy, BayWa RE, EDP, Enel, Iberdrola, MHI Vestas, SolarPower Europe, Orsted, Vestas and WindEurope.
“Europe needs to prioritise the most efficient, sustainable, and cost-effective pathways to decarbonise its economy,” they said.
Renewables provides a proven and scalable solution for the direct electrification of final energy uses, such as road transport, heating and buildings and industrial processes, they added.
The signatories called on the European Commission to accelerate the deployment of renewable electricity across these sectors, modernising Europe’s electricity grid infrastructure and driving the electrification of the economy.
SolarPower Europe interim chief executive Aurelie Beauvais said: “Renewables are already the most efficient and cost-effective power generation sources in Europe, with leading technologies and applications developed and implemented across the continent.
“Now, it is important to complement the efficiency of renewables in directly electrifying final energy uses with renewable-based hydrogen, that provides the missing piece to facilitate the complete decarbonisation of Europe’s energy consumption.
“The upcoming ‘Energy system integration strategy’ and ‘Clean hydrogen strategy’ are an opportunity to unlock clean, renewable hydrogen, that is produced right here in Europe, so as to deliver on the ambitious goals of the European Green Deal.
“Renewable hydrogen not only provides sustainable energy to hard-to-abate sectors, but further enhances sectoral integration and has the potential to create millions of local and highly-skilled jobs, contributing to the reindustrialisation of Europe.”
WindEurope chief executive Giles Dickson said: “More than 60% of final energy consumption can be covered directly by electricity.
“But some sectors will need different solutions. This is where renewable hydrogen, produced through electrolysis and based on renewable electricity, comes into play. The EU
“Hydrogen Strategy marks the starting point for a rapid development of an innovative European electrolyser industry.
“It is an important element of full energy decarbonisation and will make fossil-based alternatives redundant. A credible Green Deal agenda must build on renewable hydrogen.”