Linz – Energy Ministers from twenty-five European countries have agreed to promote hydrogen produced from renewable energies through a new initiative, which will support hydrogen as a zero-emissions substitute for fossil fuels.
The Hydrogen Initiative is supported by Switzerland, Iceland and all EU member states except Ireland, Slovakia, Slovenia, Sweden and the UK. The initiative is also supported by the European Commission.
The declaration on the Hydrogen Initiative states that the signatories, “aim to maximise the great potentials of sustainable hydrogen technology for the decarbonisation of multiple sectors, the energy system and for the long-term energy security of the EU.” It further recognises, “the potential of renewable hydrogen as an energy storage solution as well as a sustainable climate neutral energy carrier and feedstock”.
The initiative has been launched by the Austrian presidency of the EU, which began in July, and whilst the declaration has no legal impact it symbolises a growing awareness amongst governments of the potentials of renewable hydrogen fuels, and highlights the political will for future joint activities.
Click here to access the text of the declaration.
Policy