Hydrogen has attracted worldwide interest as one of the potential solutions for hard to decarbonize sectors and became an integral part of many countries’ energy transition plans. How hydrogen could aid the decarbonization efforts of Energy Community (EnC) contracting parties was explored in a study on the potential of hydrogen published by the Energy Community Secretariat.
For each contracting party, the study assessed the drivers for introducing hydrogen, its potential production capacity, availability of delivery infrastructure and potential hydrogen applications. The study concluded that the contracting parties are very diverse in terms of their potential for producing, transiting/exporting and utilizing zero and low carbon hydrogen and there is no one size fits all policy or technological solution. Given its extensive gas infrastructure network, industry sector and good conditions for renewable energy production, Ukraine holds the highest green hydrogen development potential.
The study provides tailored recommendations for each contracting party, including a guide as to what hydrogen technologies and applications might have the greatest economic potential, such as space and water heating, transport or storage of renewable electricity.
A hydrogen-specific legal and regulatory framework needed to support investment is currently missing in all contracting parties. The study recommends the continued cooperation at the level of the Energy Community to help leverage on experiences gained and facilitate regional cooperation and alignment with wider European market and legal developments.
