Northwest Europe Leading the Way in Low-Emissions Hydrogen Development
Key Ideas
- Northwest Europe accounts for 40% of Europe's hydrogen demand and has untapped renewable energy potential in the North Sea.
- The region aims to develop 30-35 GW of electrolyser capacity by 2030, with projects in the early stages awaiting supportive policies.
- Interconnected gas networks in the region could be repurposed to facilitate low-emissions hydrogen distribution, fostering market growth.
- Collaboration among Northwest European countries and international initiatives like CEM-H2I and Pentalateral Forum is driving market monitoring and data exchange.
Northwest Europe is positioned as a key player in the development of low-emissions hydrogen, accounting for a significant portion of Europe's hydrogen demand. The region's access to renewable energy sources in the North Sea, along with carbon storage potential, provides a strong foundation for the growth of the hydrogen market. With ambitions to establish substantial electrolyser capacity by 2030, Northwest European countries are focusing on the gradual scaling up of low-emissions hydrogen projects. However, the success of these initiatives relies heavily on the implementation of supportive policies and regulatory frameworks. Repurposing the existing gas infrastructure for hydrogen distribution is seen as a cost-efficient strategy to facilitate the transmission of hydrogen from production sites to demand centers. Collaborative efforts among countries in the region, as well as partnerships with international organizations like CEM-H2I and the Pentalateral Forum, are aiding in market monitoring and data exchange to drive the progress of low-emissions hydrogen projects in Northwest Europe.