Nuclearelectrica, other energy companies encourage the production and demand of hydrogen from clean sources

Nuclearelectrica signed on June 15, together with other energy companies, research institutes and associations, a joint letter to the attention of the European Commission regarding the contribution of low carbon sources to the production of hydrogen, thus reaching the decarbonization targets set for 2050.

Currently, the production of hydrogen, necessary in industry, transport and energy production is ensured in proportion of 95% by the use of methane gas, which leads to significant CO2 emissions. For every kilogram of hydrogen produced, 10 kilograms of CO2 are emitted.

According to the study conducted by the International Energy Agency in 2019 globally, there is an increase in applications that use hydrogen as well as an increasing demand for hydrogen from clean energy sources, leading to the decarbonization of the electricity generation sector. The potential of hydrogen also lies in its ability to store and deliver clean energy in the network, in order to follow closely the energy needs curve.

The companies and associations that signed the joint letter to the European Commission (Vice-President Frans Timmermans and Commissioners Kadri Simson, Thierry Breton and Mariya Gabriel) recommend that a number of proposals and principles on clean hydrogen generation be considered in Energy System Integration Strategy and Clean Hydrogen Strategy which will be issued in the near future by the Commission under the European Green Deal. The proposals consist of encouraging the production and demand of hydrogen from clean sources, which will allow the replacement of hydrogen supplied from sources with significant CO2 emissions currently used in industry and expand the use of clean hydrogen in other industrial sectors, with a role in decarbonization.

“Hydrogen production through the use of nuclear energy, greenhouse gas-free energy, is considered by the major producing and consuming companies in Europe as a potential way to recover from the economic crisis generated by the COVID-19 pandemic. These companies, including Nuclearelectrica, recommend to the European Commission the introduction in public debate and future energy policies of the essential role that nuclear energy, along with renewable energies, must play in decarbonizing the energy and industrial sector, including by producing hydrogen through the existing nuclear capacities as well as through the new ones that will be built in Romania and Europe. Future developments in nuclear energy require the current commitment of investments in both research and development and in building new production capacities and extending the life of existing ones. Nuclear demonstrates flexibility and versatility through its applications, with an essential role in the economic recovery of Europe,” said Cosmin Ghita, General Manager of Nuclearelectrica.