The European Commission is consideringHydrogen production from fossil fuels is “fully renewable” if it produces 70% fewer emissions More greenhouse gases than fossil natural gas throughout its lifecycle, according to those derived from the Renewable Energy Directive and enacted by authorized laws released this Monday.
New regulations set different ways manufacturers can demonstrate that renewable electricity is used for hydrogen production It complies with additional rules and sets criteria to ensure that renewable hydrogen is produced only where and when sufficient renewable energy is available.
Thus, fuel producers If the plant producing the fuel is located in the tender area, it can consider electricity from the grid as fully renewable a country where the average share of renewable electricity exceeded 90% in the previous calendar year, and generation exceeding this threshold will continue to be counted above 90% for the next five years.
Until now, it was thought that the plant, which uses electricity for hydrogen production via direct connection, should always provide renewable electricity, so for example, if used, from the network, hydrogen result will not be considered renewable.
However, given the enormous amount of additional renewable electricity generation required to advance the decarbonisation of existing fossil electricity generation, this can only be achieved by including strict additional criteria in this methodology.
Therefore, Brussels proposes to relax the requirements for hydrogen production to account for electricity generated through a direct connection to a plant producing renewable fuels to increase the share of green energy as fully renewable.
While the initial electricity demand for hydrogen production is negligible, it will increase by 2030 with the widespread deployment of large-scale electrolyzers.
The commission calculates that About 500 terawatt hours (Twh) of renewable electricity are needed to reach the target of producing 10 million tons of non-biological fuels. and is reflected in the Commission’s proposal to raise the renewable energy target to 45% by 2030.
Renewable power generation facilities
To take into account existing investment commitments and allow the industry to adapt to the new framework, the rules will be progressively implemented for hydrogen projects commissioned before 1 January 2028. While increasing its green share, Brussels sees it as necessary for the planning and construction of renewable electricity generation facilities.
hydrogen producers They will be able to adjust their hydrogen production on a monthly basis based on contracted renewable energies until January 1, 2030.Member States will have the option to introduce stricter rules on time correlation from 1 July 2027.
Requirements for renewable hydrogen production will apply to both national producers and third-country producers wishing to do so. Exporting renewable hydrogen to the EU to count towards the EU’s renewable energy targets.
A certification system based on voluntary programs allows manufacturers from both the EU and third countries, they can simply and easily demonstrate their alignment with the community framework and trade renewable hydrogen in the Single Market.
After the adoption of this Monday, laws will be forwarded to the European Parliament and the Councilthey have two months to examine and accept or reject the offers, but this period can be extended for another two months if they request,