Hydrogen associations urge more support from EU as polls open for European elections
Industry advocates point out that incoming MEPs will be responsible for mid-decade reviews
A man casts his ballot for the European elections in a polling station, in Baarle-Nassau, south of Netherlands, on June 6, 2024, on the first day of European Parliament election.Photo: AFP via Getty Images
Polls have opened today (Thursday) on the European elections to elect members to the European Parliament, which has played a key role in bringing hydrogen-related laws to the statute book in recent months.
But although hydrogen has not been top of the agenda in the wider election campaign, H2 industry associations argue that the next Parliament and Commission will still be responsible for not only new support schemes, but also reviewing existing mandates — which could upset or strengthen the course of the energy transition.
“The upcoming EU elections certainly matter in determining the next European legislative agenda,” Jorgo Chatzimarkakis, CEO of Hydrogen Europe and former Member of European Parliament (MEP).
However, he noted that most major regulations mandating the use of H2 by 2030 — such as REDIII or the hydrogen and decarbonised gas markets package — have already been passed at the EU level, with the next step for member states to transpose targets into national law.
“We expect the EU’s focus on competitiveness and resilience to continue, as doing so will bring jobs, growth, and stability to Europe,” Chatzimarkakis continued. “Hydrogen lies at the heart of this.”
Hydrogen Europe expects that the next European Parliament and European Commission [the executive branch, also due to be renewed from nominations se
O’Leary also called for greater cross-supply-chain collaboration, such as an intergroup dedicated to ensuring enough clean fuel is supplied for shipping and aviation, as well as for an expansion of existing subsidy schemes such as the European Hydrogen Bank and Innovation fund or carbon pricing via the EU Emissions Trading System.
“As an example, the ETS does not cover flights from the EU to other countries which makes it much harder for green hydrogen-based fuels to compete,” she noted.
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