Photo by Karan Suthar on Unsplash
The Commission is seeking feedback from the public on draft new rules for low carbon hydrogen.
It has launched a public consultation on a draft delegated act clarifying EU rules for defining low-carbon hydrogen and derived fuels under the decarbonised gases and hydrogen package.
It says this is “another important step in the Commission’s efforts to support the development of a competitive and sustainable hydrogen industry in Europe.”
It comes in parallel to this week’s publication of the terms of the second renewable hydrogen auction, as part of the European Hydrogen Bank.
The Decarbonised gases and hydrogen package defines low-carbon hydrogen as a fuel generating 70% greenhouse gas emissions savings compared to fossil gas.
It requires a specific methodology to assess emissions for low-carbon hydrogen to be developed through a Delegated Act.
The draft Delegated Act sets out such a methodology.
The draft is published almost one year ahead of the legal deadline for its adoption which, the EU says, provides “early certainty for industry and investors on the path ahead.”
An EC spokesman told this site, “Under the Decarbonised gases and hydrogen package, low-carbon fuels can benefit from easier connection and access to the existing gas grid and discounts on cross-border and injection tariffs.”
“Complementing the market design and the legal definition of renewable hydrogen, this Delegated Act will complete the enabling framework put in place during this Commission mandate to support the development of a fully functioning hydrogen market, covering both supply and demand.”
The Commission invites citizens and stakeholders to provide their comments within four weeks.
After the consultation, the Commission says it will take the feedback into account.
It will then propose the final draft Delegated Act to the European Parliament and the Council, who will have two months to scrutinise the proposals and either accept or reject them, before the final adoption by the Commission.
