Negotiations begin in EU to make hydrogen gas market entry easier

Two legislative measures to ease the admission of renewable and low-carbon gases, including hydrogen, into the EU gas market have been given the all-clear by the European Parliament.

The EP decided to begin talks on two pieces of legislation—a rule and a directive—to make it easier for people to use the network of low-carbon, renewable gases like biomethane and hydrogen.

Additionally, the Act would establish a system for certifying low-carbon gas and ensuring that consumers may transfer providers more readily so that they can opt for renewable and low-carbon gas in their contracts rather than fossil fuels.

The MEPs stated in their modifications to the regulation, which were approved in committee in February, that the REPowerEU plan’s hydrogen corridors should be backed by the necessary infrastructure and funding. The goal is to ensure that there is adequate cross-border capacity to establish an integrated European hydrogen market, or “hydrogen backbone,” and to allow for the unrestricted flow of hydrogen across borders.

20% of Russian supply will be replaced with natural gas from the EU. According to the REpowerEU targets and the changes to the law passed in February, member states must supply at least 35 billion cubic meters of sustainable biomethane globally by the year 2030. With the aim of replacing 20% of Russian natural gas imports with a more affordable, locally produced alternative, it will be generated and injected into the natural gas system annually.

The inclusion of hydrogen network operators in the European Network of Transmission System Operators for Gas (ENTSOG) is another change that MEPs are recommending. As a result, the ten-year EU plan for the development of gas and hydrogen networks will also fall within the purview of the new ENTSOG&H.

A system for coordinating gas purchases by member states—originally developed as an emergency measure—is also included in the modifications. The Parliamentarians urge the EU to stop using fossil gas as soon as feasible while taking into account the alternatives that are available. During the period of long-term contracts for untapped fossil gas before the end of 2049, Member States may choose a different expiration date.