New RHC leadership calls for tangible action in hydrogen industry

The Renewable Hydrogen Coalition (RHC) has elected new leadership for the next 18 months, Olivia Breese, CEO of Power-to-X at the renewable energy company Ørsted, as Chair, and Håkon Volldal, President and CEO of electrolyzer manufacturer Nel, as Vice-chair.

The RHC promotes the role of renewable hydrogen to deliver the EU’s long-term decarbonization goals and consists of start-ups, investors, entrepreneurs, innovative companies and industrial off-takers.

Commenting on her appointment, Olivia Breese stated: “Europe’s top priority should be to bring renewable hydrogen from ambition to tangible action. We must focus on funding and support schemes that will unlock business models as well as completing the regulatory framework to enable large-scale uptake.”

“We will leverage our pioneering experience and full-scale competences to the advantage of the sector’s value chain, helping to catalyze the next phase of the Power-to-X industry.”

Håkon Volldal noted: “Now is the time to put the pedal to the metal. Europe can lead the global renewable hydrogen technology race by developing a robust European value chain, upscaling manufacturing capacities and setting standards that are championed globally.”

“Coupled with the right funding tools and appropriate budget, these are essential elements to close the cost gap with fossil-based alternatives, unlock larger final investment decisions in hard-to-electrify sectors and kick-start the renewable hydrogen economy in Europe.”

“We look forward to working with our supporters, policymakers and all relevant actors to turn Europe’s renewable hydrogen ambition into reality.”

To remind, in June this year, the European Commission (EC) formally published two delegated acts outlining detailed rules on the EU definition of renewable hydrogen.

The first act defines under which conditions hydrogen, hydrogen-based fuels or other energy carriers can be considered as renewable fuels of non-biological origin (RFNBOs), while the second act provides a methodology for calculating life-cycle greenhouse gas emissions for RFNBOs.

At the time, EU Commissioner for Energy, Kadri Simson, said the approval of the acts “means legal certainty for both producers and consumers of renewable hydrogen, and is a pivotal step to attract the necessary investments to decarbonize our energy system.”

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