Luxembourg approves law to boost hydrogen energy projects

Luxembourg plans to boost the development of hydrogen transport networks across the country, under a new law passed by parliament on Thursday.

The bill follows on from the national hydrogen strategy launched in 2021, and sets an initial legal framework for planning and developing hydrogen transport infrastructure, both domestically and in partnership with neighbouring countries, as part of the green energy transition.

The legislation aims to “support a European market for renewable hydrogen, essential for addressing climate challenges and reducing energy dependence on fossil fuels”, the economy ministry said in a statement following the adoption of the law by parliament.

“Access to a sufficient quantity of renewable and competitive hydrogen will be crucial in decarbonising various economic sectors, such as certain industrial processes or modes of transport,” Economy Minister Lex Delles said in the statement. “With this legislative advance, Luxembourg is affirming its ambition to become a key player in the development of a European hydrogen market.”

The bill includes several provisions, including for the ministry to appoint a national hydrogen network manager, whose task will be to ensure compliance and to make sure the network develops both reliably and sustainably.

Hydrogen-related projects will be classified as public utilities, enabling the free use of public and private land belonging to the state and municipalities for such works. The law also introduces long-term planning procedures, including a ten-year network development plan, the ministry said.

Luxembourg’s energy watchdog, the Institut Luxembourgeois de Régulation (ILR), will be responsible “for monitoring the hydrogen market and setting pricing and metering methods”, the ministry added.