On 27 September the Commission launched a public consultation on a draft delegated regulation on the designation of low-carbon hydrogen and derived fuels under the carbon-free gases and hydrogen package. This is another important step in the Commission’s efforts to develop a competitive and sustainable hydrogen industry in Europe. At the same time, the terms and conditions of the second renewable hydrogen auction, within the framework of the European Hydrogen Bank, were published today.

The Decarbonized Gases and Hydrogen Package defines low-carbon hydrogen as a fuel that results in a 70% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions compared to fossil gas, and requires the development of a specific methodology to assess hydrogen emissions low-carbon through the issuance of a delegated act. This draft delegated regulation sets out such a methodology. The publication of the draft regulation almost a year before the legal deadline for its approval is due to provide legal certainty to industry and investors.

The decarbonised gas and hydrogen package favors the development of low-carbon fuels by facilitating connection and access to the existing natural gas network and by providing discounts on cross-border tariffs and injection tariffs. The delegated regulation will complement the market design and legal definition of renewable hydrogen, as well as the enabling framework put in place during the term of this Commission to develop a fully functional hydrogen market, covering both supply as well as demand.

The Commission invites citizens and interested parties to submit their comments within four weeks. After the consultation, the Commission will take into account the views submitted and propose the final draft delegated act to the European Parliament and the Council, which will have two months to consider the proposals and either accept or reject them , before their final approval by the Commission. You can find more information here.

Korina Georgiou