May 21, 2025
Proposed EU regulations on low carbon hydrogen encounter resistance from the EPP.
Recently leaked draft criteria for 'low-carbon' hydrogen production lack support from the largest political group in the European Parliament, as two leading members of the European People’s Party (EPP) have informed the EU's energy chief.
EPP's industrial policy lead Christian Ehler and Andrea Wechsler urged energy commissioner Dan Jørgensen to amend what they describe as a "restrictive and unworkable" delegated act related to last year's gas market rules.
According to the draft secondary legislation, 'low-carbon' hydrogen is defined as produced from non-renewable energy sources with at least 70% lower greenhouse gas emissions compared to traditional fossil fuel production, typically using natural gas.
The European Commission consulted extensively on initial draft criteria, and a new version sent to EU member states at the end of April suggests stricter regulations for hydrogen production from methane and does not foresee a 2028 timeline for certifying nuclear power purchase agreements (PPAs).
In a letter dated May 13, seen by Euractiv, conservative MEPs warned that implementing the stringent criteria proposed in the latest draft could "jeopardise Europe’s industrial resilience, climate targets, and strategic autonomy."
Ehler and Wechsler contend that the European Commission should allow hydrogen producers to use electricity from all zero- or low-emission sources, including nuclear and "non-additional renewables."
This refers to the 'additionality' principle in green hydrogen production, which allows hydrogen to be made using renewable electricity only when new dedicated generation capacity is created.
The German lawmakers also oppose the higher default carbon footprint assigned to natural gas, arguing that Europe’s rules should not “endanger imports” from essential trade partners.
They request exemptions for hydrogen projects from reporting under the Methane Regulation if a final investment decision was made before August 2028.
Furthermore, the MEPs assert that some low-carbon hydrogen production methods—based on methane, industrial off-gases, and carbon capture and storage—are unfairly discriminated against, which they deem "neither scientifically justified nor politically acceptable."
Once the EU executive adopts the delegated act, member states and the European Parliament can choose to reject it during a formal scrutiny period. The European Commission and national representatives met on Monday to discuss the draft rules, but the meeting's outcome remains uncertain.
However, a diplomatic source indicated that EU governments were not showing significant opposition to the legislation. “No strong position emerged in the Council, which is positive because it brings us closer to rapid adoption,” the source stated.
EPP's industrial policy lead Christian Ehler and Andrea Wechsler urged energy commissioner Dan Jørgensen to amend what they describe as a "restrictive and unworkable" delegated act related to last year's gas market rules.
According to the draft secondary legislation, 'low-carbon' hydrogen is defined as produced from non-renewable energy sources with at least 70% lower greenhouse gas emissions compared to traditional fossil fuel production, typically using natural gas.
The European Commission consulted extensively on initial draft criteria, and a new version sent to EU member states at the end of April suggests stricter regulations for hydrogen production from methane and does not foresee a 2028 timeline for certifying nuclear power purchase agreements (PPAs).
In a letter dated May 13, seen by Euractiv, conservative MEPs warned that implementing the stringent criteria proposed in the latest draft could "jeopardise Europe’s industrial resilience, climate targets, and strategic autonomy."
Ehler and Wechsler contend that the European Commission should allow hydrogen producers to use electricity from all zero- or low-emission sources, including nuclear and "non-additional renewables."
This refers to the 'additionality' principle in green hydrogen production, which allows hydrogen to be made using renewable electricity only when new dedicated generation capacity is created.
The German lawmakers also oppose the higher default carbon footprint assigned to natural gas, arguing that Europe’s rules should not “endanger imports” from essential trade partners.
They request exemptions for hydrogen projects from reporting under the Methane Regulation if a final investment decision was made before August 2028.
Furthermore, the MEPs assert that some low-carbon hydrogen production methods—based on methane, industrial off-gases, and carbon capture and storage—are unfairly discriminated against, which they deem "neither scientifically justified nor politically acceptable."
Once the EU executive adopts the delegated act, member states and the European Parliament can choose to reject it during a formal scrutiny period. The European Commission and national representatives met on Monday to discuss the draft rules, but the meeting's outcome remains uncertain.
However, a diplomatic source indicated that EU governments were not showing significant opposition to the legislation. “No strong position emerged in the Council, which is positive because it brings us closer to rapid adoption,” the source stated.