Clarification by the EU Commission Raises Only Faint Hopes for Hydrogen Ramp-Up

The EU Commission has published clarifications regarding the Delegated Act on the assessment of low-carbon fuels, providing more detailed provisions with regard to low-carbon hydrogen. However, Dr Timm Kehler, CEO of Die Gas- und Wasserstoffwirtschaft, remains only cautiously optimistic about the ramp-up of hydrogen, as important questions remain unresolved:

'We welcome the fact that the Commission is now showing a willingness to discuss adjustments to the provision that is crucial for blue hydrogen. The previous drafts cast serious doubt on whether the Commission was truly committed to strengthening competitiveness. The main point of contention was the determination of the emissions value for natural gas used to produce low-carbon hydrogen. While the Commission has now backed away from its previously prohibitive value and slightly reduced the standard emissions values, it is still insisting on very complex and not fully defined procedures. In doing so, the Commission is throwing the hydrogen industry a lifeline—but whether this will really be enough to ensure survival and fill the core hydrogen network remains highly questionable in light of the still far-reaching requirements and the lack of practical feasibility in verification.'