Jorgo Chatzimarkakis, CEO of the European hydrogen association Hydrogen Europe, criticizes the European Commission’s proposed definition of low-carbon gases and calls for greater pragmatism. H2international spoke with the association’s head at the World Hydrogen Summit in Rotterdam.
Interview by Monika Rößiger
H2international: What is your impression after the first two days of the trade fair – how do you assess the economic prospects for hydrogen?
Jorgo Chatzimarkakis: Very exciting. A large part of the international hydrogen community is gathered here – including delegations from Korea, Japan, India, and Latin America. Only China is underrepresented. What’s also clear: despite all the pessimistic voices we keep hearing, projects are actually being implemented. If someone had told me five years ago, when we launched the hydrogen strategy, that all of this would be realized by 2025, I probably wouldn’t have believed it myself.
That gives reason for hope. After the hydrogen hype came the valley of tears. In your view, are we now seeing a turnaround for the green molecule?
Yes, we’re making progress! We’ve returned to the energy policy reality. You can see that in the functioning hydrogen projects. If the debate were less ideological and more pragmatic, we could simply move forward – and that’s exactly where we need to go.
What are the main obstacles?
Let me start with the positives: EU member states have made progress on ISO standards, even at the global level. This initiative is strongly supported by Germany, the Netherlands, and France. So that part is working. But when it comes to issues like the definition of hydrogen – which is crucial for investors in terms of regulation and legislation – Europe is unfortunately far too complex.
Can you elaborate?
If the current plans are implemented as proposed, it will result in an artificial scarcity of hydrogen – even though it is already sufficiently available. And when something is artificially scarce, prices inevitably rise. That’s why we need to make pragmatic decisions about where hydrogen can effectively contribute to reducing CO2 emissions.
What is your main criticism of the European Commission’s approach?
The European Commission clearly prioritizes renewable electricity. Nowhere is this more evident than in the definition of end users: if you drive an electric car, the electricity you use is always considered green – regardless of whether it comes from coal or oil. It’s always green. But if you operate an electrolyzer, the electricity is almost never considered green. On the contrary, it’s subject to a thousand restrictions. That makes no sense at all! Why not apply the same rules to electricity, oil, and gas?
If the engine room doesn’t do what the political leadership says – and the political leadership has no control – then we are lost!”
In your keynote at the start of the hydrogen summit, you strongly criticized this regulatory approach. I heard praise for that from several entrepreneurs at the exhibition stands.
Yes, I spoke very openly – also with regard to the European Commission. Not about the political leadership, which has clearly defined climate targets. But when it comes to implementation, there are far too many theorists involved – people who may mean well but end up making things worse. We are facing too much bad governance. It’s already difficult enough with our 27 member states. But if the engine room doesn’t do what the political leadership says – and the political leadership has no control – then we are lost!
How do you see your role as a European industry association with more than 600 members and over 30 national associations?
The EU is like a large tanker now heading toward the hydrogen harbor. Together with other stakeholders in the policy arena, our association acts as a tugboat trying to steer the tanker into port. At the top of the bridge stands Ursula von der Leyen, who doesn’t even see all the tugboats and their concerns. We want to use our expertise and the know-how of our members to present best practices and solutions. But it’s a competitive environment – and the gloves are off.
If you drive an electric car, the electricity you use is always considered green – regardless of whether it comes from coal or oil.”
Are you referring to the advocates of the “All-Electric Society” – those who repeatedly speak out against hydrogen?
The short answer is: yes. What ultimately resulted in the completely botched heating law in Berlin – all those entanglements of various NGOs reaching into politics – has now moved to Brussels. And they’re simply continuing their work there.
What consequences do you foresee for the European Union?
It’s disastrous for Europe. We saw it during the blackout in Spain. The causes may be debated. But one thing is clear: the reason it took so long to restart the power grid was definitely due to a lack of inertia – a lack of molecules in the system. There’s a basic rule: 70 to 30. Thirty percent of the system must be molecule-based. Spain didn’t have that, and as a result, the system didn’t restart. So the so-called electricity prioritizers – to put it politely – are clearly on the wrong track. And they are harming the economy.
Can you explain that in more detail?
In Germany, we’ve already spent billions of euros on curtailment and redispatch measures. We have high electricity prices because of this. It harms the economy. It harms Europe. And it undermines trust in renewable energy. That has to stop! Two infrastructures are cheaper than one.
Could the new German government still bring about positive change in this regard?
I hope that the new Minister for Economic Affairs and Energy, Katherina Reiche, will recognize this. In her first interviews, she already stated that she wants a pragmatic approach. And she must now – let’s say – take a firm stance in Brussels. She can call on the European Commission to immediately review the criteria of the Clean Industrial Deal. Ms. Reiche has the knowledge. And she has the power. That’s what we’re hoping for now: save Europe from bureaucratic collapse!
Jorgo Chatzimarkakis is the CEO of Hydrogen Europe, the European hydrogen association representing the interests of the hydrogen industry. According to the association, its goal is to help Europe achieve a net-zero economy “through clean hydrogen as an abundant and affordable energy carrier and feedstock.” Chatzimarkakis advocates for a diversified hydrogen strategy in the European Union, including electrolysis, pyrolysis, and waste-to-hydrogen technologies.
And he warns: relying solely on electricity will lead to a supply crisis.
