Table of Contents
On October 29, 2021, the federal government adopted its first hydrogen strategy on the proposal of Energy Minister Tinne Van der Straeten. This document announced for the first time Belgium's ambitions for renewable molecules and the role it wants to play as an import and transit hub in Europe.
Since then, many measures have been initiated. On October 12, 2022, the federal government validated an update of this strategy to reflect the state of progress of the implementation of the latter. Additional measures are announced taking into account recent developments in the sector.
View and strategy - Hydrogen (PDF, 5.67 MB)
The federal hydrogen strategy aims to use hydrogen and renewable molecules to make certain applications climate neutral where electrification is not economically viable or technically feasible. This mainly concerns the industrial and freight transport sectors.
In its hydrogen strategy, the federal government expresses its ambition to strengthen Belgium's position as an import and transit hub of renewable hydrogen. Discover in the video below what role renewable hydrogen will play in the transition to a carbon-free future, and why Belgium, with its world-class ports, robust industrial network, and world leaders in maritime transport, has all the assets to become the European gateway for renewable hydrogen.
The strategy is composed of four pillars for which various concrete measures are identified, presented below:
Pillar 1 – Positioning Belgium as an import and transit hub for renewable molecules in Europe
|
|
Measure |
First announcement |
Status |
|---|---|---|---|
|
1 |
Since 2021: Engage with key partners in order to open each one of the 3 main import routes for renewable molecules |
Strategy 2021 |
Ongoing (MoUs with Oman and Namibia, identification of partners for the 2 other import routes |
|
2
|
In 2022: Support the development of hydrogen import infrastructure to have the first imports of H2-molecules (or of H2-derivatives to be cracked into H2-molecules) by 2026 |
Strategy 2021 |
Ongoing (call planned to be launched in early 2023) |
|
3 |
In 2023: Organize hydrogen master classes together with the Belgian Hydrogen Council to establish close relationships with key exporting partners |
Update 2022 |
To be launched in 2023 |
|
4 |
In 2023-2024: Investigate how the development of both electricity and hydrogen networks can complement each other in the North Sea |
Update 2022 |
To be launched once the HNO is designate |
Pillar 2 – Expanding Belgian leadership in hydrogen technologies
|
|
Measure |
First announcement |
Progress |
|---|---|---|---|
|
1 |
In 2021: Support research and pilot projects on hydrogen technologies with the two federal R&D funds (Energy Transition Fund and call Clean Hydrogen for Clean Industry) |
Strategy 2021 |
Achieved (to be continued with CHCI 2023 and future ETF calls) |
|
2 |
By 2025: Develop a hydrogen test infrastructure |
Strategy 2021 |
Ongoing (collaboration initiated with VKI with several milestones until 2025)
|
|
3 |
By 2026: Develop a limited electrolysis capacity of minimum 150 MW
|
Strategy 2021 |
Ongoing |
Pillar 3 – Establishing a robust hydrogen market
|
|
Measure |
First announcement |
Progress |
|---|---|---|---|
|
1 |
In 2023: Set up a framework ensuring an optimal planning of energy transport networks |
Strategy 2021 |
Ongoing (Discussions started, expected finalisation in 2023) |
|
2 |
In 2022-2023: Adapt the legal and regulatory framework for the transport of hydrogen per pipeline |
Strategy 2021 |
Ongoing (public consultation launched in January 2022, first approval CMR) |
|
3 |
In 2023-2024: Investigate with the Regions and/or Europe how the federal government can help to put in place a system to unlock the demand for renewable H2-molecules and H2-derivatives |
Update 2022 |
To be launched |
|
4 |
By 2025: Develop a European voluntary certification scheme and a register for H2-molecules and H2-derivatives |
Strategy 2021 |
Ongoing |
|
5 |
By 2025: Develop a market hub for H2-molecules and H2-derivatives linked to physical supply hubs in Belgium |
Update 2022 |
Ongoing |
|
6 |
By 2026: Develop 100 to 160 km of additional H2 pipelines (new and/or repurposed) to be operated under non-discriminatory third-party access conditions |
Strategy 2021 |
Ongoing
|
|
7 |
By 2028: Interconnect the Belgian H2 transport network with Germany, France and the Netherlands |
Update 2022 |
Ongoing |
Pillar 4 – Investing in cooperation as a key success factor
|
|
Measure |
First announcement |
Progress |
|---|---|---|---|
|
1 |
Implement a structural consultation on hydrogen within Belgium |
Strategy 2021 |
Achieved (Re-activation of workgroup ENOVER/CONCERE H2) |
|
2 |
Adopt a proactive and dynamic attitude within the working groups dedicated to hydrogen (Benelux, Pentalateral Energy Forum, European Union) |
Strategy 2021 |
Ongoing |
|
3 |
Represent Belgium in international organisations and forums on hydrogen |
þ Strategy 2021 |
Ongoing
|
|
4 |
Continuous interactions with the sector, research institutes and citizens to keep this hydrogen strategy up to date with the evolution of the barriers and needs |
þ Strategy 2021 |
Ongoing (ao support to the Belgian Hydrogen Council) |
