The European Commission and the European electrolyser industry have signed a joint declaration outlining several efforts to enhance the framework conditions for European electrolyser manufacturers in Europe. At the Electrolyser Summit in Brussels recently, EU Commissioner for Internal Market Thierry Breton, as well as Nel and other industry officials, signed the joint declaration.

The joint agreement lays a firm framework for the European Union's ambitious "Hydrogen Accelerator," which is part of the EU's aim to make Europe fossil-fuel independent. The European Commission is due to communicate its idea, RePowerEU, on May 18th.

Thierry Breton, EU Commissioner for Internal Market, said:

“We have no time to lose, which is why this European electrolyser summit is so opportune. Today, the industry agreed to a tenfold increase in electrolyser manufacturing capacities in Europe. The Commission will support this important industrial upscaling for industrial leadership in the clean energy technologies of the future.”

CEO of Nel, Jon André Løkke, said:

"Demand for green hydrogen is growing extremely fast and we are glad to see the willingness from the European Commission to help us meet our common goals for green hydrogen production and the upscaling of electrolyser manufacturing capacities."

The European Commission said in March that it would double the existing EU renewable hydrogen objective to 10 million tonnes of domestic product per year, plus an additional 10 million tonnes of yearly hydrogen imports.

According to industry estimates, meeting this goal will necessitate 90–100 GW of added electrolyser capacity in Europe, depending on utilisation variables and efficiency rates. As a result, the electrolyser production capacity must be increased.

“The electrolyser manufacturing capacity must be scaled-up significantly to meet the expected European demand for renewable hydrogen. There is no Hydrogen Accelerator without an acceleration in electrolyser manufacturing. There is no acceleration in electrolyser manufacturing in Europe without adequate regulatory and financial support. Cost-effective and scalable solutions are key qualification criteria. It’s time to walk the talk. We are looking forward to 18 May, when the Commission is expected to present its RePowerEU plan,” says Løkke.

Source: H2bulletin