An 80 GW electrolyzer gap! Europe’s future clean energy system will rely on imported green hydrogen.

　　Frans Timmermans, EU Commissioner for Climate Action. Photo: European Parliament

　　Frans Timmermans, the EU’s climate chief, stated that Europe’s future clean energy system will rely on imported green hydrogen.

　　“I firmly believe that green hydrogen will be the driving force behind our future energy system,” the EU Commissioner for Climate Action told the European Parliament last week. “I also firmly believe that Europe will never be able to produce enough hydrogen on its own.” H2 will be the driving force behind our future energy system, but the EU will need to rely on imports.

　　We can’t shake our dependence on fossil fuels overnight. He stated, “In the meantime, to avoid over-relying on any single energy source, we need to diversify our energy supply as much as possible.”

　　In a broad sense, if we can establish a diversified and mutually interdependent relationship around the Mediterranean, it means that we will all be closely linked to the production, distribution, and application of green hydrogen. This represents the future—and one of the ways in which we can create greater stability within the geopolitical system. It will also open up tremendous opportunities for Africa’s development, giving the 600 million Africans who currently lack access to energy the chance to obtain electricity.

　　Meanwhile, countries like Egypt and Turkey plan to produce renewable energy in quantities exceeding their own needs, so they’ll be looking for places to sell this surplus renewable energy abroad. For a commissioner who previously called on Europe to become more independent—especially in terms of local production of solar panels and electric vehicle batteries—this wasn’t a slip of the tongue.

　　Just a few days ago, during a visit to Turkey, Timmermans said at a press conference: “We want to build partnerships because the EU needs far more hydrogen than we can produce on our own. We’re eager to forge partnerships—especially with countries around the Mediterranean—to create a future hydrogen-based economy that doesn’t rely on just one or two single suppliers, but rather features diversified supply and demand.”

　　He told the European Parliament that, at least in the short term, Europe will need liquefied natural gas from countries other than Russia, as well as some pipeline gas.

　　That’s why I’m reaching out to countries that are interested in doing just that—such as Turkey and Egypt. But let me add one more point: These countries aren’t foolish. They’ve done their analysis and concluded: “Alright, but you’re moving away from fossil fuels. Now you need us—but what about ten years from now, or fifteen years from now?” That’s precisely why what I’m offering—and what the Commission is offering—is a long-term partnership: starting with liquefied natural gas and culminating in a hydrogen economy.

　　The European Hydrogen Strategy, released in the summer of 2020, calls for Europe to install 40 GW of electrolyzers by 2030, with an additional 40 GW to be installed in the regions surrounding the EU that are intended for export to the EU.

　　Felicia Mester, Head of Public Affairs at European Hydrogen, a Brussels-based trade organization, stated: “Europe has enormous potential for producing renewable and low-carbon energy. However, to replace the use of all fossil fuels within a record-breaking timeframe and decarbonize the EU economy, imports will be necessary.”

　　From the perspective of ensuring supply security, “we also need to make sure that all currently reinforced natural gas assets are suitable for hydrogen applications. Looking ahead to this point—rather than building LNG terminals that can be retrofitted for hydrogen at a later date, we need to construct hydrogen terminals that can immediately utilize liquefied natural gas in the short term.”