(Strasbourg/France) – The European Commission is looking for ways to break away from dependence on Russian natural gas in particular. On Tuesday (8 March), Commission President Ursula von der Leyen presented proposals under the title “REPowerEU” to make Europe independent of Russian fossil fuels well before 2030.
Integrate hydrogen more strongly
REPowerEU places, among other things – in addition to liquid gas – an even greater focus on the role of renewable hydrogen. The EU hydrogen strategy presented in May 2020 set the goal of achieving an electrolysis output of at least six gigawatts by 2024. By 2030 it should be 40 gigawatts - that corresponds to a capacity of around ten million tons of hydrogen per year.
With the new proposals, the EU increases these targets by 15 million tonnes. Ten million tonnes of this will be imported and five million tonnes produced in the EU itself. 
This amount would help reduce dependence on imported Russian gas by 2030 to 25 billion cubic meters by 50. However, in addition to renewable energies, other forms of fossil-free hydrogen production should also play a role in substituting natural gas - "particularly based on nuclear energy," says the template entitled "Joint European Action for more affordable, secure and sustainable energy”.
In addition, REPowerEU aims to promote a European market for hydrogen and support the development of an integrated gas and hydrogen infrastructure including storage and ports. New cross-border infrastructure should be hydrogen compatible.
Green Hydrogen Partnership in the Mediterranean
The Commission wants to “give priority consideration” to the notification of state aid for hydrogen projects. Pilot projects to produce and transport renewable hydrogen in the EU's neighboring countries will be supported, starting with a “green hydrogen partnership” in the Mediterranean. Together with industry, the aim is to improve member states' access to affordable renewable hydrogen.
The EU currently imports 90 percent of its gas needs. Around 45 percent of these imports come from Russia, although the proportion varies depending on the Member State. Russia also accounts for 25 percent of all oil and 45 percent of all coal imports.
deep link
https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=COM%3A2022%3A108%3AFIN
Photos
REPowerEU is also intended to strengthen the European hydrogen economy. © European Union
Class schedule
The largest EU gas imports in 2021. © European Commission
