Belgium’s Federal Government has authorized a plan to turn the nation into a center for the import and transit of renewable hydrogen, making it a leader in the field.
The initiatives aim to reduce the environmental effect of heavy sectors including basic material production and processing. These industries are presently responsible for 30% of Belgium’s CO2 emissions. According to Belga News Agency, Energy Minister Tinne Van der Straeten believes hydrogen would be critical in decarbonizing the sector.
“We must start today if renewable hydrogen is to be a credible element of the energy mix by 2030,” she stated.
Although hydrogen is sometimes lauded as a “clean” energy since it simply produces water when burned, it is really an extremely energy-intensive process. Renewable energy sources must be employed to power the manufacturing process in order to reduce the environmental effect.
Solar and wind energy are central to Belgium’s strategy, which is expected to result in the creation of 10,000 employment. Despite the fact that Belgium is increasing its wind and solar capacity, particularly with offshore wind and solar farms, the country’s energy imports are expected to continue. However, instead of “liquid sun and wind,” liquid hydrogen will be used.
Aside from the environmental benefits of this alternative energy source, this step would help Belgium to become more geopolitically independent, since it would no longer be reliant on exporting nations’ fossil fuel resources, such as Russia or the Gulf States.
