New independent entity for hydrogen network planning

In a joint letter to the Permanent Representatives of EU Member States, as well as MEPs, SolarPower Europe, Wind Europe, the Renewable Hydrogen Coaliton, Energy Cities, and a number of NGOs including CAN Europe, the European Environmental Bureau (EEB), Bellona Europa and E3G call for an independent body to build a fit-for-purpose hydrogen infrastructure.

It is crucial for the development of renewable hydrogen that a dedicated entity (European Network of Network Operators for Hydrogen — ENNOH, as proposed by the European Commission) oversees the expansion of hydrogen infrastructure. This entity must be run by hydrogen network operators whose mission and interest are solely in planning a cost-efficient and proportionate hydrogen infrastructure development, with no conflict of interest.

The sole mission of this body must to be to develop a proportionate grid, fit for the decarbonisation of hard-to-electrify sectors, and most likely in regional hubs.

This letter, sent in July 2023, follows our correspondence with MEPs in January 2023 on the same topic.