Belgium is adopting a Hydrogen Law that will regulate the transport of hydrogen through a pipe network in Belgium and beyond. Belgium is the first country in the world to legislate in this fashion. It hopes the law will help to kickstart its ambitions to become a hydrogen hub.
It has proved to be an important treasure at a time when many countries are eager to wean themselves off Russian gas. Belgium has the ambition of becoming a hub for hydrogen too, but the roll out of the network will take several years yet.
Excess electricity is directed through water. Water splits into oxygen and hydrogen atoms with the hydrogen atoms carrying part of the electricity. Belgium’s important petrochemical industry is also a potential source of hydrogen as it is released when natural gas is processed.
Green Deal
The hydrogen bill on the table also focuses on green hydrogen, produced entirely from renewable energy. “Hydrogen will be a link in the transition. Europe is pushing for it, but it is waiting to implement laws. Belgium does not want to wait any longer.” Luc Pauwels, energy expert
In 2019, through the Green Deal, Europe was the first continent to formulate the ambition of climate neutrality by 2050, linking environmental and climate goals with economic opportunities. Hydrogen is considered a cornerstone of this policy.
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