Gas industry urged to ‘accelerate’ transition to hydrogen

(EurActiv, 18 May 2020) Hydrogen has become a central element of EU plans to reach net-zero emissions by mid-century. The key question now is how to accelerate the transition and upgrade the gas infrastructure, policymakers say.

“We need to accelerate” the gas industry’s conversion to hydrogen and other low-carbon gases in order to reach the EU’s climate objectives, said Tudor Constantinescu, a senior advisor at the European Commission’s energy directorate.

Investing now in low-carbon gas infrastructure will help avoid a lock-in effect into fossil assets that otherwise risk becoming stranded as Europe moves towards net-zero emissions, he told a EURACTIV online event on Wednesday (13 May).

“If we want to reach 50-55% decarbonisation by 2030, it means putting more investments upfront – more CAPEX now – in order to lower the overall cost during the lifetime of this investment,” Constantinescu argued.

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EurActiv, 18 May 2020: Gas industry urged to ‘accelerate’ transition to hydrogen