In the Netherlands, OffshoreEnergy reported that the European Commission has adopted a greenhouse gas (GHG) emission methodology for low-carbon hydrogen and fuels, as set out in the Hydrogen and Gas Market Directive, completing the European Union’s (EU’s) regulatory framework for hydrogen. To be considered low carbon, hydrogen and related fuels will need to reach a threshold of 70% GHG emission savings compared to the use of unabated fossil fuels, the Commission said, noting that this means that low-carbon hydrogen can be produced in various ways, for instance using natural gas with carbon capture, utilization and storage (CCUS) – a technology that prevents emissions from the process of producing hydrogen -, as well as from low-carbon electricity sources, according to the report. The European Commission revealed it will assess the impact of the introduction of alternative pathways on the energy system and emission savings, and the need to maintain a level playing field with sourcing fully renewable electricity, the report added. Dan Jørgensen, Commissioner for Energy and Housing, said: “Hydrogen will play a key role in the decarbonization of our economy. With a pragmatic definition of low-carbon hydrogen that respects the energy mix of all EU countries, we are providing the necessary certainty to investors. In this way, we support the growth of a sector which is key for both our competitiveness and our climate objectives.”
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