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THE EUROPEAN

HYDROGEN STRATEGY

Dr F Maximilian Boemke and Dr Christian Bauer, partners green hydrogen: “hydrogen produced
at Watson Farley & Williams, discuss the EU’s ambitions for through the electrolysis of water (in an
hydrogen and some of the obstacles it may meet along the way electrolyser, powered by electricity),
and with the electricity stemming
from renewable sources. The full life-
ccording to the European Union for a European hydrogen market, on 8 cycle greenhouse gas emissions of the
(EU), green hydrogen “is a key July 2020 the EU issued its “hydrogen production of renewable hydrogen
priority to achieve the European strategy for a climate-neutral Europe”, are close to zero. Renewable hydrogen
Green Deal and Europe’s clean known as the EU Hydrogen Strategy. may also be produced through the
A energy transition.” It is seen The aim of the EU Hydrogen Strategy reforming of biogas (instead of natural
as a technology which can bridge the is to decarbonise hydrogen production gas) or biochemical conversion
gap between electricity production and expand its use in sectors where it of biomass, if in compliance with
from renewable energy and the goal of can replace fossil fuels. sustainability requirements.”
decarbonising a large share of the EU’s The EU Hydrogen Strategy focuses Although the main focus lies on green
energy consumption by 2050. In order on hydrogen produced from renewable hydrogen, the EU Hydrogen Strategy
to set the path for how hydrogen can be energy sources (so called “green recognises the role of other low carbon
used in this way, and to make a first step hydrogen”). The EU Hydrogen Strategy hydrogen in the transition phase in the
towards setting the regulatory framework provides the following definition of short to medium term.

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