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  • EU Hydrogen Policy

    One of the European Commission’s main policy goals for Europe is to become the first climate-neutral continent by 2050, via a 90% CO2 reduction target by 2040, compared to 1990 levels.

  • Hydrogen in Ireland

    Ireland’s National Hydrogen Strategy, published in July 2023, outlines a vision for developing a hydrogen sector to support decarbonisation, energy security, and industrial growth, with 21 actions aimed at removing barriers, advancing research, and preparing for hydrogen exports.

  • Hydrogen Valleys

    The EU’s ambition to develop 50 EU Hydrogen Valleys in operation or under construction by 2030 is outlined on a dedicated website of the Clean Hydrogen Partnership.

  • Hydrogen Corridors

    On June 25, 2025 the EU Trans European Network of Transport, TEN T, celebrated its 20 years of coordinated transport […]

NEWS

Go RED to go GREEN….

Go RED to go GREEN….

The EU Renewable Energy Directive (RED III), requires that 42% of hydrogen used in industry be sourced from renewables by 2030, increasing to 60% by 2035, with renewable fuels of non-biological origin (RFNBOs) accounting for at least 1% of transport sector energy. Member States had to transpose the directive by May 21, 2025. Under RED III, which entered into force in November 2023, Ireland must increase the share of renewable energy in heating and cooling by at least 0.8 pp and 1.1 pp as annual averages for the periods 2021-2025 and 2026-2030, and to speed up the permitting processes for renewable energy projects by 1 July 2024. Ireland has not implemented the provisions yet, and the EU has issued a formal notice against Ireland. Although on May 28, 2025 an analysis of member states’ energy and climate plans for the coming years, pointed to 54 percent emission reductions by 2030 compared to 1990, very close to its 55 percent target, the RED III targets still seem to be crucial for reaching EU’s emission reduction goals. The EU Commission therefor announced that it will start to take infringement action against EU member states that have not fully implemented the Renewable Energy Directive (RED III). Triggered by slowing investment decisions and still high H2 costs, estimated at EU R8.13/kg ($9.31/kg) as of June 5, although down from a peak of EUR14.50/kg ($16.62/kg) in mid-December, also the hydrogen sector could potentially benefit from an accelerated implementation of REDIII. Only Romania and Czechia have fully transposed RED III quotas for both transport and industrial hydrogen use, with consultations ongoing in other member states, including the Netherlands and Germany. The Commission already initiated infringement packages against eight countries beginning 2025 for missing mid-2024 permitting deadlines, including Bulgaria, Spain, France, Italy, Cyprus, Slovakia, Sweden, and the Netherlands.
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Building thriving H2 Tribes

Building thriving H2 Tribes

The US City of Lancaster in California on December 14, 2024 announced an interesting initiative as a complement to H2 Auctions, the First Public Hydrogen (FPH2); a public renewable hydrogen utility. FPH2 is designed to transform the renewable hydrogen market by connecting producers with reliable off-takers through a seamless, transparent process. FPH2 is a joint powers authority (JPA) between the City of Lancaster and the City of Industry in California. Addressing the disconnect between large off-takers of renewable hydrogen, interested in a smooth purchasing process, and producers that need to confront significant investment challenges, FPH2 aims to bridge this gap, fostering collaboration to drive hydrogen market development and growth. On May 7, 2025 Rowland Water District (RWD) joined FPH2 as its first member, marking a key milestone in the development of the United States’ first public hydrogen utility. Based in southeast Los Angeles County, Rowland Water District serves more than 55,000 residents across five cities and unincorporated communities.  “Joining First Public Hydrogen reflects our commitment to innovation and resource stewardship,” said RWD General Manager Tom Coleman. “As a public agency, we have a responsibility to explore solutions that protect our environment while maintaining reliable service for our customers. This partnership allows us to play a meaningful role in shaping California’s clean energy future—while continuing to put the needs of our community first.”  As a member of FPH2, RWD will gain access to shared procurement tools, technical expertise, and a transparent platform that connects public agencies with green hydrogen producers. The District will also help pilot early-stage hydrogen applications suited for public sector systems, from vehicle fleets to energy backup systems. The public utility will work to connect renewable hydrogen producers, including those producing through solar energy, wind energy, and renewable natural gas, with confirmed and reliable buyers that have plans to leverage renewable hydrogen’s decarbonization potential across several industries, including shipping and ports, transportation, and the power sector. Photo : Courtesy Chevron, hydrogen station Oakland
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Digging into EU H2 Corridors: German Nordsee Ruhr Link

Digging into EU H2 Corridors: German Nordsee Ruhr Link

The German transmission system operator Open Grid Europe GmbH (OGE) on March 22, 2025 announced the construction of the Nordsee-Ruhr-Links I (NRL I) from Wilhelmshaven to Dykhausen by the end of 2027. The 21 km long pipeline also with a 1,4m diameter, and 100 bar pressure is part of the hydrogen core grid approved by the German government and the Federal Network Agency. In order to enter into a dialog with the region at an early stage, OGE held a meeting for property owners and a “dialog market” in Jever where they were able to find out about the project and the first planned route was that will be finalized with the planning approval decision. NRL I is part of the Nordsee-Ruhr-Link, which connects the north with the west of Germany via the Wilhelmshaven coastline (WKL), starting at the gas pressure control and measuring station in Wilhelmshaven (Voslapper Groden) and connects to the WKL, which is being built at the same time. NRL I will be runing parallel to the Wilhelmshavener Anbindungsleitung (WAL) for natural gas, which OGE built in 2022 on behalf of the German government to secure the natural gas supply. Converting natural gas pipelines to hydrogen would reduce the impact on surrounding communities significantly. For example, GASCADE Gastransport GmbH filled a first pipeline section with hydrogenon March 3, 2025, as part of the German “Flow – making hydrogen happen” program, converting the existing natural gas infrastructure to hydrogen. By the end of 2025, a total of around 400 kilometers of pipeline, part of the German north-south hydrogen axis and with a diameter of 1.4 meters, will be ready avoiding lenghty regulatory amd construction processes. Photo: Courtesy GASCADE Gastransport GmbH
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Irish government update of National Hydrogen Strategy

Irish government update of National Hydrogen Strategy

Energy Policy Answering questions of deputy Darren O’Rourke during the Energy debate, in the Irish Parliament, Dáil Éireann , on 20 February 2025, the Irish minsiter of Environment Climate and Communications, Alan Dillon, referred to the three primary strategic reasons for developing an indigenous hydrogen sector in Ireland are to decarbonise the economy, enhance energy security, and create industrial and export market opportunities. There are 21 actions set out within the Irish National Hydrogen Strategy to enable the development of the hydrogen sector in Ireland. These actions aim to remove barriers to early hydrogen project developments and to enhance our knowledge through targeted research and innovation across the hydrogen value chain, laying the groundwork to deliver on our long-term strategic vision. These actions have varying timelines for completion by 2030 and work has started on a number of them. These include identifying the amount of surplus renewable energy that will be available for hydrogen production, putting in place the legal and regulatory framework for this new industry, and examining the feasibility of exporting hydrogen. The minister mentioned that they are currently finalising a detailed implementation plan for the multi-year work programme set out in the strategy to ensure appropriate governance arrangements are in place to support delivery of the actions set out within the strategy. Implementation will involve a number of Departments including the Department of Transport and the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, and other stakeholders. Careful planning and management structures are essential. Once completed, further clarity on the status of all actions set out within the strategy and the annual work programmes to deliver on these will be communicated. It is expected that the detailed implementation plan will be finalised in quarter 2 of 2025.
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IEA Global Hydrogen Outlook 2024 Update

IEA Global Hydrogen Outlook 2024 Update

The International Energy Agency IEA updated its annual Global Hydrogen Outlook in October 2024. See the laterst version here. In the latest update, Irish hydrogen potential demand for 2050 is estimated to be 0.6-2.2 Mtpa with the bulk (between 35% and 65%) coming from aviation (for electro-sustainable aviation fuel [e-SAF]).
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SH2AMROCK Tribe gathers for first General Meeting in Galway

SH2AMROCK Tribe gathers for first General Meeting in Galway

Bracing the aftermath of storm Darragh, the SH2AMROCK Tribe gathered at the University of Galway on December 11 and 12, 2024 for its first in-person meeting. The City offered a dramatic setting to the presentations of the contribution of 26 partners, all involved in the deployment hydrogen as clean energy carrier. Galway, a city known in history as the “City of the Tribes,” is undergoing a significant transformation as it becomes a hub for clean energy transition. Aiming to deploy green hydrogen across key hard-to-abate sectors across the island of Ireland, SH2AMROCK has the potential to revolutionize Ireland’s energy landscape and position Galway as a leader in the clean energy sector.
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Kick-off meeting on February 28, 2024

Kick-off meeting on February 28, 2024

At the SH2AMROCK projects held its Kick-off meeting on February 28, 2024 Galway University’s vice president of Research and Innovation pointed to the need to ensure that hydrogen technologies become more is visible in daily lives and that SH2AMROCK project would indeed kickstart this process in Ireland. John Finnegan, Principal Officer Hydrogen Policy, Department of the Environment, Climate & Communications confirmed Ireland’s interest to fully embed hydrogen in its energy transition strategy towards 2050. Brendan Kelly, Commercial Manager Renewable Energy, Bord na Móna one of Ireland’s biggest energy companies described his company’s transition from peet exploration towards a full-fledged renewable energy company.  Pietro Caloprisco, responsible Project Officer explained the EU Clean Hydrogen Partnership (CHP) ambition in supporting Hydrogen Valleys as instrument of the Hydrogen Accelerator programme of the EU Commission while Antonio Requena, CHP highlighted the  financial report requirements Financial Officer.
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Ireland Hydrogen Strategy

Ireland Hydrogen Strategy

The National Hydrogen Strategy was launched by Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications and Minister for Transport, Eamon Ryan TD, aboard a hydrogen-fuel-cell-electric double-deck bus.. The National Hydrogen Strategy is the Government’s first major policy statement on renewable hydrogen and is aimed at increasing certainty and reducing commercial risk to drive private sector investment. The strategy explores the opportunity for Ireland, hydrogen production, end-uses, transportation, storage, and infrastructure, alongside safety and regulation, research, cooperation, and scaling. In addition, it determines Ireland’s strategic hydrogen development timeline, seeking to “provide clarity on the sequencing of future actions needed and guide our [the Government’s] work over the coming months and years”. Outlining the rationale for developing an indigenous hydrogen sector in Ireland, the National Hydrogen Strategy identifies three primary policy drivers: 1. Decarbonising the economy Ireland requires a radical transformation of its entire economy if it is to achieve net zero emissions no later than 2050. Indigenously produced renewable or green hydrogen can play a significant role in this transformation, with its potential to be a zero-carbon alternative to fossil fuels in hard to abate sectors of the economy. This includes those in which electrification is unfeasible or inefficient. 2. Enhancing energy security Ireland imports around three-quarters of its energy supply annually. However, by harnessing one of the world’s best offshore renewable energy resources and using the surplus to produce renewable hydrogen, Ireland has an opportunity to reduce reliance and potentially achieve energy independence. While fossil fuels are utilised as a backup to renewable energy sources, renewable hydrogen could become a zero-carbon replacement. As per the National Energy Security Framework, hydrogen is highly energy dense and, therefore, suited to the development of seasonal storage solutions at scale, helping to mitigate variability and seasonal demand 3. Creating industrial and export market opportunitiesIn the long term, Ireland has the potential to produce excess renewable energy, including hydrogen. At the same time, many European countries have identified a long-term demand for renewable carbon imports to meet decarbonisation ambitions. As such, the establishment of an export market could be beneficial to the domestic development of renewable hydrogen. In the short term, the National Hydrogen Strategy establishes a series of actions aimed at enabling the development of Ireland’s hydrogen industry. The strategy aims to removal obstacles which could inhibit hydrogen projects while enhancing knowledge through targeted research and innovation. Established in 2020, the Interdepartmental Hydrogen Working Group is tasked with monitoring the delivery of these actions, while identifying further actions to support progress as the sector evolves. Combining long-term ambitions with 21 short-term actions, the National Hydrogen Strategy aims to: kickstart and scale up renewable hydrogen production; identify end use sectors, supply chains, and required quantities; determine what infrastructure is needed; ensure the implementation of rules around safety, sustainability, and markets; and establish conditions which foster continued technological advancement and innovation.
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First announcement of approval SH2AMROCK

First announcement of approval SH2AMROCK

The EU  Clean Hydrogen Partnership has selected 9 Hydrogen Valley projects following its first call for proposals (2022) after a first Hydrogen Valley was approved in 2021 HEAVENN in Northern Netherlands. The total funding requested for the 9 Hydrogen Valleys amounts to EUR 105.4 million. Hydrogen Valleys contribute to the REPowerEU objectives by scaling up green hydrogen production, supply and consequently to meet the growing demand from industry, transport, and other sectors. The European Commission allocated to the Clean Hydrogen Partnership an additional €200 million through REPowerEU, to double the number of Hydrogen Valleys in Europe by 2025. To date, 25 European hydrogen valleys at different stages of development are part of the Mission Innovation Hydrogen Valleys Platform. All selected projects focus on the production of clean hydrogen and address a variety of applications in the energy, transport, and industry sectors.  It is expected that the projects will be able to mobilise investments of at least 5 times the funding provided by the EU or above EUR 0.5 billion. The Clean Hydrogen Partnership has started the grant preparations for 2 flagship Hydrogen Valleys (projects of a scale significantly larger to what has been supported to date – i.e., producing at least 5,000 H2 tonnes / year, with interlinkages to other places of hydrogen production and/or consumptions outside project boundaries). The first NAHV will be spread across the North Adriatic area (comprising Croatia, the Autonomous Region of Friuli Venezia Giulia in Italy, and Slovenia) and the second, BalticSeaH2, aims to build a hydrogen corridor across Baltic Sea countries, including Estonia and South Finland. Both hace requested 25 mln EU co-funding. In addition, the Clean Hydrogen Partnership has started the grant preparations for 7 smaller scale Hydrogen Valleys projects (at least 500 H2 tonnes / year), focusing on areas of Europe with no or limited presence of H2 Valleys. Each of them will be funded with 8m EUR. The valleys will comprise regions in Bulgaria (Stara Zagora), Greece (Crete and Corinthia), Ireland (Galway), Italy (Lombardy), Turkey (South Marmara) and Luxembourg.
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