IEA: Hydrogen Monitoring Report for Northwest Europe 2024

Northwest Europe is at the forefront of low-emission hydrogen development, although achieving the targets set by countries in the region for 2030 will require further efforts from policymakers within a tight timeframe, the IEA has published its 'Hydrogen Monitor for Northwest Europe 2024'.

The monitor found that Northwest Europe has great potential to expand the low-emission hydrogen market and has recently made progress in advancing important regulations. If all planned projects start commercial operation, Northwest Europe could produce about 7 million tons of low-emission hydrogen per year by the end of 2030, meeting about 2% of the region's primary energy needs.

Most low-emission hydrogen projects in Northwest Europe are still in the early stages of development. Less than 4% of projects that could provide low-emission hydrogen supply in 2030 are in operation, under construction or have reached a final investment decision. This is much lower than the proportion in the United States and China.

Rapidly increasing supply requires stronger support from policymakers, the report said. The report recommends deploying support mechanisms across the value chain, from research and development to production, transport and consumption. Stimulating demand is particularly important because clear signals need to be sent to investors considering production projects.

Low-emission hydrogen (here refers to hydrogen produced by electrolysis using electricity generated by renewable energy or nuclear power, or hydrogen produced by fossil fuels combined with carbon capture, utilization and storage) is a key technology to promote the global clean energy transition. According to the IEA's net zero emission path, global low-emission hydrogen production will reach 70 million tons in 2030.

Several Northwest European countries have doubled their overall hydrogen production targets since 2022, with others currently considering it. The region currently aims to develop more than 400 GW of electrolyser capacity by 2030.

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