European Hydrogen Policy Landscape

European Hydrogen Policy Landscape

The EHO database covers a total of 29 EU policies and legislations that directly or indirectly affect the development and deployment of hydrogen technologies. To achieve its net zero ambitions, the EU started with cross-cutting strategies, such as the EU Green Deal and the EU Hydrogen Strategy, setting forward roadmaps and targets that are to be achieved in the near future.

As a next step, the EU has developed legislations, such as those bundled in the Fit for 55 package, to meet the targets they have put forward. The implemented legislations, including funding vehicles and initiatives, have an impact on the whole value chain of hydrogen including production, transport, storage and distribution, and end-uses.

At national level, as of July 2023, 63% of the European countries have successfully published their national strategies in the hydrogen sector, while 6% of the countries are currently in the draft stage. Several European countries have strategically incorporated quantitative indicators within their national strategies outlining their targets and estimates across the hydrogen value chain. This deliberate approach reflects a commitment to providing clear and measurable goals within their hydrogen strategies.

A target often used in the national strategies is on electrolyser capacity as an effort to enhance the domestic renewable hydrogen production. Germany took the lead with an ambitious goal of achieving 10 GW by 2030, followed by France (6.5 GW) and Denmark (4 – 6 GW).

Other targets that some of the countries use in their strategies are on the number of hydrogen refuelling stations, fuel cell electric vehicles and total (renewable) hydrogen demand. A few countries also have targets on renewable hydrogen uptake in industry and hydrogen injection limit in the transmission grid.

The Global Hydrogen Hub