Grid fees remain key sticking point as EU finalises hydrogen rules

(EurActiv, 28 Sep 2023) As the European Union finalises its hydrogen and gas rulebook, key issues remain on how to remunerate network operators for building and maintaining Europe’s future hydrogen grid.

The European Commission tabled its “hydrogen and decarbonised gas market package” in December 2021, paving the way for Europe to transition towards low-carbon fuels.

But there is a long way to go before the EU reaches its goal of producing 10 million tonnes of renewable hydrogen in Europe while importing the same amount by 2030.

And as more projects emerge, market players are calling for clear rules at the EU level to encourage investments in supply as well as transport infrastructure.

“In terms of infrastructure, we need hydrogen backbones,” said Maxime Peeters, who oversees the hydrogen program at the Port of Antwerp-Bruges in Belgium.

Belgian authorities are aiming to connect the port of Antwerp-Bruges to a hydrogen pipeline by 2026, with plans to extend linkages to the hydrogen network in Germany and other neighbouring countries by 2028.

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EurActiv, 28 Sep 2023: Grid fees remain key sticking point as EU finalises hydrogen rules