EU hydrogen strategy criticised for relying on fossil fuels

Summary

In an announcement last week, the European Commission published its hydrogen strategy. This plan outlines that planes and long-distance ships would lead the way for hydrogen development.

Article

T&E shared their support for the EU long term strategy hydrogen, stating that hydrogen plays an essential role in the decarbonisation of larger forms of transport. However, they have warned that fossil-fuel based hydrogen is the focus of the strategy, offering a lifeline to the fossil fuel industry.

The Commission discusses promoting renewable hydrogen but also promotes “blue hydrogen”, which is made from fossil fuel gas.

There are numerous resources capable of producing hydrogen, whether it be biomass or solar power. But natural gas reforming is the most popular approach to producing hydrogen fuel.

According to T&E, the Commission must set more stringent 2030 CO2 standards to drive the uptake of renewable hydrogen and battery electric vehicles such as buses.

EU Commissioner for Energy, Kadri Simson said: “With 75% of the EU’s greenhouse gas emissions coming from energy, we need a paradigm shift to reach our 2030 and 2050 targets.

“The EU’s energy system has to become better integrated, more flexible and able to accommodate the cleanest and most cost-effective solutions.

“Hydrogen will play a key role in this, as falling renewable energy prices and continuous innovation make it a viable solution for a climate-neutral economy.”

However, William Todts, executive director at T&E, said: “Hydrogen is only as clean as the energy used to produce it, and relying on fossil gases just delays the decarbonisation of the economy which the EU has committed to.

“The EU needs to create laws that force airlines and shipping companies to start using zero-emission fuels including hydrogen, ammonia and synthetic kerosene.”

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