Brussels accelerates the pace of a clean energy transition in Europe by means of innovative regulatory solutions targeted at the development of hydrogen infrastructure. More than 100 hydrogen and electrolyser projects have been identified as Projects of Common Interest by the European Commission, which ensured unprecedented funding support. This level of support represents the most ambitious attempt yet to ensure energy independence and decarbonize economies on the continent, with hydrogen identified as an enabling technology for a sustainable Europe.
Commission gives strategic status to 235 energy projects
The European Commission has approved a total of 235 trans-European energy projects under the modernized TEN-E Regulation, and the development of hydrogen infrastructure and electrolyzers is a big chunk of this package. The approved projects include those concerning electricity infrastructure, CO₂ infrastructure, and hydrogen infrastructure. It is ensured that the projects concentrate on low-carbon solutions as opposed to fossil fuel-based infrastructure, which is in line with the climate objectives of Europe.
The beneficial projects are now supported by the political coordination process in the Energy Union Task Force and the working groups at the regional level, thus ensuring a smooth process of implementation among the member states. It also involves fast-track regulatory approval processes, which have otherwise delayed the development of large-scale infrastructure projects in the past. This is intended to address the bottlenecks experienced in the implementation of cross-border energy projects while meeting the standards.
The projects that obtain PCI/PMI status can avail themselves of fast-tracked permitting procedures, which aim to bring down the time scales for approval from years to months. Fast-tracking of procedures is crucial to address the 2030 climate objectives of Europe and makes it possible to deploy hydrogen infrastructure in Europe with a view to achieving a rapid transition to a clean energy system.
Massive investment pipeline supports continental energy transformation
The hydrogen projects are also part of the overall €1.5 trillion investment pipeline in energy infrastructure, which is set to take place between 2024 and 2040, thus putting into perspective the commitment level that exists in relation to the energy transition process in the European region. The Commission has proposed an increase in the budget amount of the Connecting Europe Facility between 2028 and 2034 by five times, amounting to €29.91 billion, owing to the need for funds in the renovation process of the infrastructure.
The 100 hydrogen and electrolyser projects are established in such a way as to play key roles in the decarbonization of the energy sector in Europe, in addition to enhancing the competitiveness of industries within member states. The projects will enhance the connectivity of energy within Europe towards realizing the vision of the Energy Union that has been steering the energy policies within Europe for the last ten years. The strategic role of the projects extends beyond the environment to economic security.
Implementation coordination facilitates the rapid execution of projects
The list of approved projects would then go through a two-month evaluation process with the European Parliament and Council before the final stages of the implementation process would be possible. Upon approval, the implementation of the projects would then be coordinated by the Commission in order to ensure that the implementation process would be integrated into the overall energy policy objectives. This would occur as part of the proposed European Grids Package and Energy Highways initiative by President von der Leyen.
Such cross-border projects will help to enhance energy connectivity in Europe, making it less dependent on fossil fuels while ensuring that the continent itself does not become dependent on its energy supply chain from other countries. This master plan will ensure that the development of hydrogen infrastructure takes place methodically and efficiently, which will enable the building of a network capable of transporting hydrogen to industries and households within the EU.
