The interview with Charlie Currie was originally published on H2View hier
The EU could shape global clean hydrogen growth, but delays in finalising rules risk holding back projects at home and abroad, according to the Hydrogen Council’s CEO.
Ivana Jemelkova told H2 View while countries like China and the US are advancing through industrial policy and tax incentives, Europe’s strength lies in its ability to drive demand through regulation.
“The ability of the EU to drive demand is key,” she said. “It’s a card that Europe has not quite played yet. It’s only just starting to happen.”
According to the Hydrogen Council’s own projections, Europe’s Renewable Energy Directive (RED III) mandates, alongside schemes in the US, Japan, and South Korea, could “unleash” eight million tonnes per year (mtpa) of hydrogen demand by 2030.
“Europe could really shape not only its own needs, but really the global market.”
RED III establishes usage mandates of green hydrogen in industrial sectors and mobility. Europe is also lining itself up to be a major importer of the energy carrier due to high electricity prices that could stifle widespread domestic production.
But the rules for how imported hydrogen will qualify for targets remain undecided. And Jemelkova warned any further delays in deciding them could stall final investment decisions (FIDs) in Europe and beyond.
“We know of a number of projects in the Middle East and other parts of the world which are waiting to put that metric into the FID calculation and see if their project does or does not go ahead,” she said.
“Europe has the ability to decide whether we see more maturation and growth, or whether things will be held back.”
While technical advances will help unlock projects, Jemelkova sees political will as the challenge.
She pointed to China, which she said, has already chosen hydrogen as a strategic priority rather than just a decarbonisation driver.
The Hydrogen Council’s latest report showed China leading in globally committed investments with $33bn and holding over 50% of global operational green hydrogen capacity.
And while the report noted a split in CEOs’ views on whether that kind of dominance can be replicated by other regions, Jemelkova believes its commitment can.
“It has chosen hydrogen as a strategic bet,” the CEO said. “It really sees it as another opportunity for technological leadership and for competitiveness around the world. That’s what we would like to see in other governments as well.”
Key to underpinning this, she said, is pragmatism and realism.
“Let’s not have the perfect be the enemy of the good,” she stressed. “Europe, very much in good faith, trying to create the perfect framework means that we’re slow while others are moving.”
She urged policymakers to lay a robust foundation with no compromise on climate – but one that moves at the pace industry needs.
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