Full Title: Europe’s Long Journey to Renewable Hydrogen
Author(s): Anne-Sophie Corbeau
Publisher(s): The Fletcher Forum of World Affairs
Publication Date: March 19, 2025
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Description (excerpt):
The European Union (the EU) has very ambitious targets when it comes to renewable hydrogen development (10 million tonnes to be produced domestically by 2030 and the same amount to be imported). However, the region is very unlikely to reach these targets. The development of domestic renewable hydrogen is slowed by a lengthy permitting process, high costs of renewable hydrogen, the need to develop hydrogen transport infrastructure, and the lack of offtake agreements. The regulatory framework on renewable hydrogen has taken a long time to develop, which has also delayed projects. The regulatory framework is also seen as being stifling, complex, as well as focusing too much on only one production type (renewable), which is at odds with many EU countries’ strategies. While the EU and member states provide various sources of funding, these are scattered across several EU programs and navigating them is complex and time consuming. Finally, overseas competition could mean that industrial products based on low-emissions hydrogen are produced overseas rather than in Europe.