EU Countries are pushing for clean Hydrogen Support
 
John E. Kaye
- Published
- News, Sustainability

Germany, France, the Netherlands and six other European Union countries have called for EU legislation to increase funding in support of hydrogen – a low-carbon technology – in line for cash from the bloc’s coronavirus recovery fund.
The European Commission has pledged to use its proposed €750 billion recovery fund to support clean hydrogen – a fuel that can be produced using renewable power and which can replace fossil fuels in polluting industrial processes.
The energy ministers of Germany, Austria, France, the Netherlands, Belgium and Luxembourg on Monday said this funding must be backed by legislation.
In a joint declaration, they called on the Commission to “present a timely action plan followed by legislative proposals to enable a flexible, fit-for-purpose regulatory approach and to stimulate a liquid market for hydrogen in the coming years.”
EU energy ministers are meeting on Monday 15th June to discuss the Commission’s recovery fund proposal, which member states will debate on Friday.
The countries called for EU hydrogen production targets for 2030 and a labelling system to incentivise use of “clean” versions of the fuel.
The EU consumes around 8 million tonnes of hydrogen each year, most of which is produced from fossil gas, rather than re newable power.
“In sectors like industry and transport, it is the missing link in the energy transition. To make this happen we need to scale up and reduce the cost of clean hydrogen,” Dutch economy and energy minister Eric Wiebes said.
The Commission should also assess how EU gas infrastructure can be repurposed to carry hydrogen, including through reforms to the bloc’s energy infrastructure legislation, the countries said.
The Commission plans to publish an EU hydrogen plan later this month.
Germany and the Netherlands have already announced national strategies. Germany last week pledged €9 billion from its coronavirus economic recovery package to scale up production of clean hydrogen fuel.
Reported by Kate Abnett
Sourced Reuters
For more Energy and Daily news follow The European Magazine
Sign up to The European Newsletter
RECENT ARTICLES
- 
 Complex questions still need people, not machines, researchers find Complex questions still need people, not machines, researchers find
- 
 Study links CEO political views to recognition of women inventors Study links CEO political views to recognition of women inventors
- 
 GrayMatter Robotics opens 100,000-sq-ft AI robotics innovation centre in California GrayMatter Robotics opens 100,000-sq-ft AI robotics innovation centre in California
- 
 UAE breaks ground on world’s first 24-hour renewable power plant UAE breaks ground on world’s first 24-hour renewable power plant
- 
 WomenIN Festival 2025 unveils expanded programme in partnership with FNB WomenIN Festival 2025 unveils expanded programme in partnership with FNB
- 
 ITFC extends $30m financing to Uzbekistan’s Hamkorbank ITFC extends $30m financing to Uzbekistan’s Hamkorbank
- 
 New £2.5 million Rolls-Royce Phantom marks model’s centenary New £2.5 million Rolls-Royce Phantom marks model’s centenary
- 
 UK faces surge in major cyber attacks, NCSC warns UK faces surge in major cyber attacks, NCSC warns
- 
 Historian warns climate denial is causing “immense harm” as humanity nears a “major crunch point Historian warns climate denial is causing “immense harm” as humanity nears a “major crunch point
- 
 The European Autumn 2025 edition out now The European Autumn 2025 edition out now
- 
 Study finds creative storytelling boosts confidence and career prospects for young people Study finds creative storytelling boosts confidence and career prospects for young people
- 
 Global development banks agree new priorities on finance, water security and private capital ahead of COP30 Global development banks agree new priorities on finance, water security and private capital ahead of COP30
- 
 South African students develop tech concept to tackle hunger using AI and blockchain South African students develop tech concept to tackle hunger using AI and blockchain
- 
 Global startup expo enters final day in Dubai as Expand North Star marks a decade of innovation Global startup expo enters final day in Dubai as Expand North Star marks a decade of innovation
- 
 Bleisure boom turning Gen Z work travel into ‘life upgrade’ Bleisure boom turning Gen Z work travel into ‘life upgrade’
- 
 Automation breakthrough reduces ambulance delays and saves NHS £800,000 a year Automation breakthrough reduces ambulance delays and saves NHS £800,000 a year
- 
 AI found to make people 15% more likely to lie, study warns AI found to make people 15% more likely to lie, study warns
- 
 Global aerospace composites market to triple by 2034 as demand for lighter, greener aircraft accelerates Global aerospace composites market to triple by 2034 as demand for lighter, greener aircraft accelerates
- 
 ICIEC to host 15th AMAN Union Summit as Islamic finance eyes closer trade integration ICIEC to host 15th AMAN Union Summit as Islamic finance eyes closer trade integration
- 
 Matching words and images helps charities raise more money, study finds Matching words and images helps charities raise more money, study finds
- 
 UK to host African Development Fund summit as Africa pushes for food self-sufficiency UK to host African Development Fund summit as Africa pushes for food self-sufficiency
- 
 Off the blocks: LEGO and Formula 1 reunite for documentary on viral Miami Grand Prix stunt Off the blocks: LEGO and Formula 1 reunite for documentary on viral Miami Grand Prix stunt
- 
 Mergers and partnerships drive Africa’s mining boom – but experts warn on long-term resilience Mergers and partnerships drive Africa’s mining boom – but experts warn on long-term resilience
- 
 New AI breakthrough promises to end ‘drift’ that costs the world trillions New AI breakthrough promises to end ‘drift’ that costs the world trillions
- 
 Europe tightens grip on strategic space data as dependence on U.S tech comes under scrutiny Europe tightens grip on strategic space data as dependence on U.S tech comes under scrutiny
 
								

























