Belgium proposes European import hub strategy

Prime minister unveils revision that aims for port expansion and pipeline network to Germany in mid-2020s

Belgian prime minister Alexander De Croo has proposed a revision to his country’s hydrogen strategy that would focus on expanding port capacity for hydrogen and its carriers and the development of pipeline networks within Europe. The original strategy was launched in 2021 with a focus on positioning Belgium as an import and transit hub for hydrogen. The new strategy increases the nation’s target for imports to 20TWh in 2030 and 350TWh in 2050—due to higher anticipated EU-wide and domestic demand than foreseen in 2021. The revised strategy anticipates the total domestic demand for both hydrogen and its derivatives to reach 125–200 TWh/yr in Belgium by 2050. The EU increased its import targets