Hydrogen Europe’s CEO has called on the European Commission President to enact a “compelling, comprehensive” hydrogen implementation agenda.
The call comes as the EU forms its new parliament after elections which saw firm gains for the right of European politics – a result which many have warned could derail the implementation of the EU’s Green Deal.
Read more: What Europe’s election year could mean for hydrogen
With Ursula von der Leyen looking likely to secure re-election as Commission President, Jorgo Chatzimarkakis said public investments should assist European industry in de-risking decarbonisation investments while also ensuring global competitiveness.
The head of the trade body said hydrogen can provide flexibility to renewables and help decarbonise the European economy, but warned for that to materialise in time for 2030 goals, Europe has to move to “an earnest development of the hydrogen economy.”
He emphasised, “The EU needs a compelling, comprehensive and focused hydrogen implementation agenda with a budget, a timeline and a map of institutional and industrial partners.”
“A bold long-term vision and swift short-term measures are needed to advance on a version of the Green Deal that simultaneously keeps us globally competitive, secures resilient supply of affordable clean energy and accelerates climate action,” Chatzimarkakis wrote.
He called for a number of institutional and policy adjustments over the next five years, including the naming of an “experienced and competent” Executive Vice-President in charge of clean industry, and the establishment of a permanent coordination platform between the heads of different policy areas.
The Hydrogen Europe CEO urged von der Leyen to expand the European Hydrogen Bank’s (EHB) budget and scope to help bring down European clean hydrogen prices, “benefitting from European technologies.”
Read more: EU electrolyser leaders call on support amid ‘acute threat’ from Chinese rivals
Infrastructure was another focus, with Chatzimarkakis seeking storage capacity, refuelling networks and pipelines connecting EU member states.
His final request was for the EU to phase out fossil fuel subsidies and redirecting funds towards “meaningful” decarbonisation projects and Net Zero technologies.
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