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Strategy and policy
Reform Support

Promotion of hydrogen value chain and open-access network for Flanders

Promotion of hydrogen value chain and open-access network for Flanders banner

Supporting reforms to transition to a green economy and fight climate change

Funding Programme
Year
  • 2021

Promotion of hydrogen value chain and open-access network for Flanders

The European Commission is assisting Belgium with the implementation of component 1.2 of its Recovery and Resilience Plan (RRP) linked to emerging energy technologies. Through this project indeed, authorities from the Port of Antwerp are benefitting from support measures related to (i) the development of recommendations for the feasibility, construction and operation of a local open-access backbone to transport hydrogen through the port of Antwerp-Bruges, and (ii) to the elaboration of a roadmap to exploit the potential of Important Projects of Common European Interest (IPCEIs) to support the transition of industrial value chains in Flanders.

Context

The Belgian and Flemish authorities are committed to implementing the European Green Deal with a view to reaching net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. Hydrogen can help in this regard, by replacing fossil fuels in some carbon intensive industrial processes, lowering greenhouse gas emissions and further strengthening global competitiveness for those industries.

Support delivered

The Commission provided support over an 18-month period to promote a hydrogen value chain and open-access network for Flanders. The support measures consisted in:

  • Conducting an hydrogen economy market analysis;
  • Drafting a regulatory plan: new legislation and policy recommendations;
  • Assessing the satisfaction of participants with the current Flemish IPCEI;
  • Drafting a proposal for the optimal implementation procedure for repayable advances in the context of an IPCEI;
  • Proposing possible alternative measures for financing the upscaling of pilot facilities;
  • Delivering a roadmap to implement the most appropriate support measures for the upscaling of pilot facilities;
  • Providing an overview of possible strategies to maximise the effect of IPCEI programs on the industrial transition in Flanders;
  • Delivering a roadmap to implement the most appropriate strategy to maximise the effect of IPCEI programs on the industrial transition in Flanders.

Results achieved

The main expected results of the project will be, firstly, a new regulatory framework adopting the recommendations for the expansion of the hydrogen economy in the port of Antwerp-Bruges and, secondly, a new framework to optimise the contribution of IPCEI to support the transition of industrial value chains in Flanders.

The results will have positive impacts on the ground such as:

  • an increase in renewable energy sources and feedstock;
  • a reduction in the consumption of fossil fuels;
  • the increased security of the energy sector;
  • the growth and transition of industrial value chains in Flanders.

The outputs related to this project should contribute towards the successful implementation of Belgium’s RRP.