“Made in EU” as a key to industrial resilience
The Industrial Accelerator Act (IAA) is an important step towards greater industrial sovereignty in Europe. For Quest One, however, it is crucial that “Made in EU” is further developed into an effective instrument within this framework.
An entry into force as late as 2028/29 fails to recognize the urgency of the current market situation. Europe’s clean-tech industry is already competing in the global marketplace today and needs protection, clear framework conditions, and therefore significantly faster implementation.
At the same time, the proposed “Made in EU” quota in the context of public funding must not be applied across technologies, in order to prevent individual sectors, such as the hydrogen industry, from effectively failing to benefit. A segment-specific application is therefore essential to ensure fair competitive conditions across all technologies.
The exemption rules must also be strengthened. At present, the quota can already be circumvented if costs increase by more than 30%. Given distorted global market conditions, such as the aggressive pricing strategies of Chinese suppliers as well as the artificial undervaluation of the Chinese yuan, this threshold is too low. A significant increase would be required for the mechanism to effectively fulfill its intended protective function.
To ensure consistent implementation throughout the entire value chain, key materials such as steel should also be included in “Made in EU” requirements in public procurement. This would not only strengthen European industry but also build on the substantial investments and public funding that have already been directed towards the transformation of these key industries.
Pragmatism on RFNBO: A prerequisite for market ramp-up
The European Commission’s decision to bring forward the review of the RFNBO criteria to June 2026 demonstrates that adjustments are needed to accelerate the ramp-up of the hydrogen economy.
At present, requirements such as additionality and temporal correlation often act as barriers to investment in practice. They lead to lower electrolyzer utilization rates, higher electricity costs and, consequently, higher hydrogen production costs, while also delaying projects.
A pragmatic and timely relaxation of these rules through greater flexibility in electricity sourcing and more practical correlation requirements could make a decisive contribution to scaling the market more rapidly. At the same time, it would improve the integration of renewable energy into the energy system and significantly enhance the economic viability of hydrogen projects.
“Europe must consistently align its energy and industrial policies. By strengthening value creation, technology development and production in Europe, we can establish the foundation for a resilient and competitive hydrogen economy while safeguarding Europe’s ability to act on energy policy in the future,” says Michael Meister, CEO of Quest One.
Europe has the opportunity to assume a leading role in the global hydrogen economy. To achieve this, it now needs a combination of clear industrial policy, pragmatic regulation, and a strong commitment to “Made in EU”.
Learn more about Quest One
Discover how Quest One is advancing the hydrogen economy and strengthening Europe’s energy resilience: https://www.questone.com/
