The Belgium Government has many ambitions for the country’s hydrogen market and associated technology, some of which have been outlined in previous announcements, but it believes that in order for the market to reach its full potential, a strategy is needed.

Building on this, Belgium’s Energy Minister Tinne Van der Staeten has stated that she wants to make Belgium the hydrogen hub of Europe. Speaking on her beliefs in hydrogen on her social feed earlier this year, the Minister said, “if we want renewable hydrogen to make a real contribution in 2030, we have to start now.”

And the hydrogen strategy aims to do exactly that. The strategy is part of the European hydrogen strategy and is based on four pillars:

Position Belgium as an import and transit hub of renewable molecules in Europe
To perpetuate our leadership in hydrogen technologies
Organise a robust hydrogen market
Focus on collaboration

According to the Brussels Times, the strategy relies on solar and wind energy to produce its hydrogen and hopes to create 10,000 jobs. Further to this, by 2030, imports of renewables are forecasted to account for between 3TWh and 6TWh.

The Federal Government will draw on funds set aside for Belgium’s green energy transition and the national plan to finance the strategy, the Brussels Times reports.

“The energy transition requires a fundamental change in how we produce and consume our energy. In this regard, the energy carriers used will have to evolve in order to enable us to achieve our climate goals,” a statement on the Belgium Government website reads.

“To achieve this, we must have a clear vision and strategy that guides hydrogen policy. That is why a document was drawn up in which the very first federal vision and strategy was elaborated.”