Newly founded European Alliance, “H2eart for Europe”, Commits to Accelerated European Decarbonization Efforts through Underground Hydrogen Storage with the Support of EVP Commissioner Maroš Šefčovič

The H2eart for Europe initiative, currently composed of eleven Storage System Operators (SSOs) from across Europe, announced a pioneering pledge to expedite the decarbonization of the European energy system in the presence of Executive Vice-President of the Commission, Maroš Šefčovič. This initiative commits to deploying underground hydrogen storage (UHS) technology, aiming to pave the way for a sustainable energy future in line with the EU’s 2050 targets and intermediary milestones.

Commissioner Šefčovič welcomed the initiative, stating: “We must be aware of the fierce global competition in today’s current geopolitical context. We cannot be naïve with our green policies. Instead, we must benefit from the first mover advantage, and show model cooperation between us. Thanks to alliances like H2eart for Europe, we can really use the European political weight, and the innovativeness of our business leaders. Collaboration around underground hydrogen storage is key in decarbonising and securing the European future.”

Infrastructure for Cleaner Energy Goals
H2eart for Europe operates as a collective force with a shared vision. The focus is steadfast on delivering the required storage infrastructure to fulfill RePowerEU and other climate targets by 2030 and beyond. Recognizing hydrogen’s pivotal role in Europe’s decarbonization and the importance of storage infrastructure, this effort aims to facilitate a stable supply and streamline the integration of renewables.

Urgent Development of Flexibility Solutions Needed
Addressing the pressing challenge of climate change, many EU member states are progressively increasing the utilization of intermittently produced renewable energy sources (RES). To maintain a steady energy supply, clean storage options capable of providing necessary flexibility are imperative. Hydrogen stands out as a crucial flexibility vector, particularly in the context of long-term energy storage required to bridge seasonal consumption differences. 

Narrowing the Project Gap
At present, there exists a substantial gap of 36 TWh between identified flexibility needs and currently planned project pipeline for 2030. Bridging this gap necessitates investments ranging around between 18 and 36 billion euros. The acceleration of hydrogen storage projects planned to meet the projected demand by 2030 and 2050 is urgently needed. 

Strategic Policy Measures for Decarbonised Energy Systems
The alliance commits to aiding EU members and regulatory bodies in formulating suitable policies which recognise Underground Hydrogen Storage (UHS) as a fundamental element for achieving a decarbonised energy ecosystem.Proposed policy measures may take the form of a dedicated EU Hydrogen Storage Strategy, aimed at giving hydrogen storage the necessary attention for an effective scale-up. This includes streamlined permitting processes, concrete hydrogen storage targets, and provisions for comprehensive, fact-based network planning, accounting for the potential repurposing of existing infrastructure.

H2eart for Europe’s alliance membersare confident in their capacity to spearhead the scale-up of UHS projects and attract investments essential for this pivotal sector’s growth. They see themselves as the best-positioned entities to drive this substantial infrastructure development, and are committed to make a lasting change.