Luxembourg must join the European Hydrogen Network
In light of EU energy transition discussions, Minister of the Economy Lex Delles stressed the role hydrogen in decarbonising industry and achieving climate neutrality.
Given the significance of hydrogen in the sustainable energy transition, Lex Delles urges Luxembourg not to miss the train steering towards European hydrogen integration.
He said,
In the future, we will need large quantities of hydrogen that we cannot produce here in Luxembourg alone,
Hydrogen, which has often been referred to as the ‘energy of tomorrow’ has been hailed since Jules Verne’s 1870 writings as a transformative energy source. Especially now that industrial-scale production by electrolysis is becoming viable, hydrogen is poised to become a cornerstone of Europe’s energy supply. It will act as the foundation for producing fuels like diesel and paraffin, combining carbon dioxide captured from industrial emissions.
Delles emphasises a broader strategy:
We don’t need hydrogen immediately so that every car can run on it tomorrow, nor is that the goal. However, we do need hydrogen to decarbonise industry.
“All industrial processes that cannot be electrified must be converted to hydrogen, which is why we need such large quantities.”
To achieve this, Lex Delles stresses that Luxembourg cannot miss key discussions as Europe sets the course for hydrogen’s integration into the wider energy infrastructure.
The government is therefore working closely with neighbouring countries – Germany, France, and Belgium – to connect to major pipelines that will transport hydrogen across the continent.
Delles explained,
We have submitted a legislative project to build such a network of pipelines here in Luxembourg.
“We need an operator for this. That’s exactly why we passed this legislative project, so that we can design it in such a way that we can move forward as efficiently as possible,”
By 2030-2035, Luxembourg expects hydrogen to begin flowing through these new pipelines or existing gas pipelines repurposed for hydrogen transport. Simultaneously, domestic production of hydrogen is also a goal. To support this, the government has allocated €110 million to help companies develop hydrogen production capabilities.
Delles said,
We need production,
“It’s a bit different than when we talk about diesel and petrol. We knew very well that we would never have production here. But hydrogen can also be produced here in Luxembourg using renewable energy. Not in quantities sufficient for Luxembourg’s total needs, but enough to build expertise locally.”
While infrastructure is vital, significant hurdles remain in making hydrogen a viable energy source. One of the biggest challenges is cost.
Hydrogen remains relatively young as an energy source, and its production must become more competitive compared to other fuels. Luxembourg is investing in research to improve production methods, increase energy efficiency, and lower costs. The potential applications of hydrogen in industry and transport – from steel production to trucks and aircraft – make these efforts essential.
READ the latest news shaping the hydrogen market at Hydrogen Central
Luxembourg must join the European Hydrogen Network, source
