Hydrogen from renewable electricity should only be considered climate-friendly in the EU subject to certain conditions. For example, “green” hydrogen can only be generated from renewable electricity that comes from relatively new plants, according to a draft by the EU Commission for new rules that is available to the German Press Agency.
At the same time, the electricity for the production of the climate-friendly fuel should come from plants that are nearby. However, these conditions should not fully apply until 2028. The EU Commission could officially propose the new rules in mid-December.
The criteria for “green” hydrogen are controversial. Basically, the fuel is considered climate-friendly if it was produced from electricity from renewable sources such as sun or wind – but the devil is in the details. In September, the EU Parliament voted in favor of a draft law with more flexible conditions than planned by the EU Commission. For example, other electricity should also be used for production if no renewable electricity is available. However, these changes have yet to be negotiated with EU countries.
Green MEP Michael Bloss welcomed the Commission’s plans. “It’s good that the Commission requires that green hydrogen has to come from additional renewable energy and not just from the grid,” he said. This will accelerate the expansion of solar and wind power. However, he was critical of the transition period: “Certificate tricks should be allowed until 2028 and green hydrogen should be allowed to be produced with nuclear, coal and gas power.”
