Many believe that Belgium has the potential to become a centre for green hydrogen in Western Europe given its current infrastructure and supportive governmental climate.
In 2021, Belgium presented its federal vision and policy on hydrogen in accordance with EU goals on renewable energy. The plan aims to position Belgium as an import hub, building a supply chain for the future and creating a robust market within the nation for the safe and ideal transport of sustainable molecules. It takes into account the fact that importing renewable energy vectors, including hydrogen H2, will be more cost-effective than local production.
Belgium may help the international energy corporation ENGIE achieve its goal of leading the world in the production of renewable hydrogen and associated sustainable fuels.
Belgian DEME Group is creating and funding green hydrogen projects abroad with the goal of facilitating import into Europe. The company is building a green hydrogen and ammonia production facility in Duqm, Oman, as part of its HYPORT concept. The facility will use a plentiful local supply of renewable energy to produce green hydrogen products, which will then be imported into Europe via the strategically located Port of Duqm.
The potential of hydrogen still faces obstacles, not the least of which is the vast infrastructure needed.
By providing grants to innovative projects through its ETS Innovation Fund, one of the largest funds in the world for low-carbon technologies, the EU hopes to encourage additional investment. Depending on the price of carbon, this fund will provide support worth approximately €38 billion between 2020 and 2030. In addition, the EU allocated €5.2 billion in public funding in September 2022 to boost hydrogen infrastructure and applications, including initiatives in Belgium.
In order to increase production, encourage cost-efficiency, and increase consumer demand, regulation is also essential.
