Commissioner Simson participates in #NorthSeasEnergyCo-operationMinisterial and visits the world's largest #PEM hydrogen electrolysis plant

Energy Commissioner Kadri Simson has discussed how to reinforce offshore wind energy co-operation at a ministerial meeting of the North Seas Energy Co-operation. Offshore wind is a renewable energy set to play a vital role to attain climate neutrality by 2050.

During the meeting on 6 July, Commissioner Simson said: “Today's meeting is about putting the European Green Deal into action. Only by stronger cross-border cooperation, such as between the North Seas countries, will we be able to sufficiently scale up renewable energy production and make Europe the first climate neutral continent.”

The Commissioner is also outlining forthcoming initiatives under the European Green Deal, notably the EU Offshore Renewable Energy Strategy, foreseen for later this year. More information is available here and on the dedicated webpage here.

Commissioner Simson visited the largest ‘proton exchange membrane' (PEM) hydrogen electrolysis plant in the world, Refhyne, ahead of the official presentation of the EU Energy System Integration and Hydrogen Strategies. Currently under construction in Cologne, Germany, the electrolyser will use renewable electricity to produce clean hydrogen.

Before her visit, Commissioner Simson said: “The Commission will soon present its Hydrogen Strategy, to put renewable hydrogen firmly on our climate neutrality agenda. Projects like Refhyne are what we need to scale up clean hydrogen production in Europe – innovative, renewables-based and bringing together the public and private sector to secure EU's global technological leadership.”

The project, which is funded by the EU through the ‘Fuel Cell Hydrogen Joint Undertaking', is expected to be in operation in early 2021. Based on water and electric power and with a maximum capacity of 10 megawatts, it will generate hydrogen on a large scale: about 4 tonnes of hydrogen per day and about 1,300 tonnes per year in total. The Commission's upcoming proposals will unveil plans to build a more integrated energy system and promote clean hydrogen as a fundamental cornerstone of our decarbonization efforts. On Wednesday, 8 July, the Commission will also launch the European Clean Hydrogen Alliance.

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