During a recent hearing, EU policymakers demonstrated strong support for hydrogen as a key component of the energy transition, with no questions raised about reassessing ambitious hydrogen targets.
The absence of inquiries regarding the commitment to hydrogen investments indicates a solid endorsement from Brussels. While there was some discussion about Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS), which is related to hydrogen production, it was noted that CCS could facilitate hydrogen production from fossil fuels while mitigating emissions through underground carbon storage.
Hoekstra emphasized the necessity of CCS, stating, “there is simply no other way” to maintain heavy industries in Europe. This statement underscores the reliance on CCS technology as part of the broader strategy to support industrial emissions reduction. However, he also acknowledged the limitations of CCS by admitting, “we cannot CCS ourselves out of the problem.”
Despite concerns regarding the scalability and long-term dependency on fossil fuels that CCS may perpetuate, expectations for increased EU subsidies for CCS projects are likely to continue. The ongoing support for CCS reflects a complex balancing act within EU energy policy, aiming to transition towards cleaner energy sources while addressing immediate industrial needs.
