The Clean Hydrogen Partnership is backed by €10 billion in funding from the European Commission; will work with other partnerships and the Fuel Cells & Hydrogen Joint Undertaking
Europe has launched a new partnership to fast-track the development of a value chain for clean hydrogen technologies. Dubbed the Clean Hydrogen Partnership, it is one among 10 partnerships launched by the European Commission to spearhead the continent’s progress during the green transition.
Prototype of Hopium’s hydrogen-powered luxury car, Credit: Hopium’s website
The Clean Hydrogen Partnership will work towards the production, distribution and storage of clean hydrogen. The Partnership will also specifically focus on supplying hydrogen to sectors that are notoriously difficult to decarbonise. These include heavy industries such as steel and cement and heavy-duty transport manufacturers. The Clean Hydrogen Partnership is backed by €10 billion in funding from the European Commission.
The Clean Hydrogen Partnership will develop on the groundwork done by the Fuel Cells and Hydrogen Joint Undertaking (FCH JU). The FCH JU was set up in 2008. Since its inception, it has supported 285 research and demonstration projects with more than €1 billion in funding.
Bart Biebuyck, the Executive Director of the FCH JU Executive Director, said: “This initiative is clear evidence of the success of the FCH JU, which managed to put Europe in a leadership position in FCH technologies such as electrolysis and supported the development of integrated hydrogen ecosystems (hydrogen valleys) in various European regions.” With an eye on Europe’s ambitious climate targets, Biebuyck added, “we will continue to work relentlessly to develop and promote hydrogen technologies in Europe, realising their full potential in achieving carbon-clean energy systems and ultimately a climate-neutral Europe. We are happy to be shaping together with the other partnerships the future of green and competitive European economy.”
The Clean Hydrogen Partnership will work in close collaboration with other coalitions such as the European Clean Hydrogen Alliance. The specific goal remains to develop and operationalise a robust hydrogen strategy for a climate-neutral Europe. The larger intention is to carry Europe forward as it strives to meet the targets laid down in the Green Deal.
