EU sets out final draft of renewable hydrogen rules

European Commission softens criteria for grid-derived hydrogen and extends deadline for hourly matching to renewables to kick in from 2030

The European Commission has published the long-awaited final draft of its delegated acts defining ‘renewable’ hydrogen for use as a renewable fuel of non-biological origin. The acts will be sent to the European Parliament and Council of the EU for a two-month period of scrutiny, after which they will be accepted, rejected or subject to a further two months of review—although they cannot be amended from the current draft. The EU’s delay in adopting a clear definition of renewable hydrogen has been a hurdle for developers both within the bloc and for those planning export-oriented projects. The announcement of an auction later this year—in response to the US’ Inflation Reduction Act, which set