European Commission and the electrolyser manufacturers join forces to build a home for renewable hydrogen in Europe
Today, Commissioner for the Internal Market Thierry Breton and 20 CEOs representing the European electrolyser manufacturing sector met in Brussels to pave the way towards achieving the objective of the REPowerEU communication of 10 mt of locally produced renewable hydrogen and 10 mt in imports by 2030. Achieving this goal would require a ramp up of electrolyser production to around 25 GW per year and an installed electrolyser capacity of 90-100 GW, an unprecedented challenge and a significant industrial opportunity. The ambition is to transform the EU’s technological leadership into global commercial leadership that will be a torchbearer of climate action across the globe.
Commissioner Breton and the electrolyser manufacturing sector signed a Joint Declaration featuring 3 pillars. First, ensuring a supportive regulatory framework through adequate permitting rules and committing to stand up for the ambitious targets included in the revision of the Renewable Energy Directive and the Alternative Fuels Infrastructure Regulation Proposal. Second, facilitating adequate access to finance by revamping the Innovation Fund to be inclusive of innovative zero and low-carbon equipment manufacturing such as electrolysers. In addition, accessing to state aid to derisk investments, and put in place Carbon Contracts for Difference to further incentivise large-scale deployment of clean hydrogen technologies. Third, integrating supply chains by way of expanding Research and Development and ensuring the availability of required components and materials in a timely and affordable manner.
Thierry Breton, Commissioner for the Internal Market, said: “With RePowerEU, we have just doubled our target for EU hydrogen production to 10m tons by 2030. This will require large amounts of electrolysers for hydrogen production. European electrolyser manufacturers are global technology leaders. Today industry agreed to a tenfold increase in electrolyser manufacturing capacities in Europe to meet our RePowerEU targets. The Commission is committed to support this important industrial upscaling with a number of supportive measures.”
Jon André Løkke, CEO of Nel Hydrogen and President of Hydrogen Europe, stated: “The electrolyser manufacturing capacity must be scaled-up significantly to meet the expected European demand for renewable hydrogen. There is no Hydrogen Accelerator without an acceleration in electrolyser manufacturing. There is no acceleration in electrolyser manufacturing in Europe without adequate regulatory and financial support. Cost effective and scalable solutions are key qualification criteria. It’s time to walk the talk.”
Jorgo Chatzimarkakis, CEO of Hydrogen Europe, commented: “Today’s Joint Declaration marks a major effort towards reducing reliance on fossil fuels and securing supply of clean energy. The industry stands ready to enhance manufacturing capacities to match the expected market demand and undertake a series of trailblazing projects. The ball is in the legislators’ court to uphold ambitious targets in the Fit for 55 package and conclude the work on the Delegated Act on RFNBOs with clear and feasible rules. Now is the time to remove all obstacles to build a home for electrolysers in Europe.”
