A study published Wednesday by the Belgian hydrogen import coalition – a collaboration between DEME, ENGIE, Exmar, Fluxys, Port of Antwerp, Port of Zeebrugge, and WaterstofNet – has found that importing green hydrogen from abroad is is both technically and economically feasible for Belgium to meet the challenge of the transition to a carbon-neutral society by 2050.
In order to meet the transition challenge, the coalition has found that the country needs to look beyond its own production of renewable energy generated domestically or offshore and that the import of renewable energy plays an essential role in this respect.
"The thorough feasibility study is the first tangible result of the collaboration between the companies involved, each with its own specific and complementary expertise and experience. This laid the basis for concrete next steps, including pilot projects for the supply of sustainable energy by means of green molecules from countries where wind and solar are available in abundance to Belgian end users, among others," DEME said in a statement.
"The climate objective to reduce CO2 emissions in Belgium by 80% by 2050 compared to 2005 levels is a major challenge and requires a large-scale switch from fossil fuels to renewable energy. Where do we get our renewable energy from? How do we get green energy in the most affordable and reliable way, when and where we need it?," the statement reads.
"It is clear that solar and wind will be the renewable energy sources of the future. However, in Belgium and Western Europe, there is not enough wind or solar energy, while other regions in the world in fact have solar and wind energy in abundance.
In order to achieve a reliable, affordable and sustainable energy system, local production of solar and wind energy will therefore have to be supplemented by the supply of some of the necessary renewable energy from abroad. Molecules can act as energy carriers to efficiently transport green energy through pipelines and ships. Hydrogen, as a carrier of renewable energy, plays an important role in the blend of end-user solutions," the press statement says.
"Various types of hydrogen-derived carriers from a range of supply regions will be able to provide cost-competitive renewable energy and raw materials by 2030-2035. The most promising green energy carriers are ammonia, methanol and synthetic methane. These can be deployed through existing modes of transport – such as pipelines and maritime transport in particular – and growing markets, encouraging a rapid start," the partners said in a statement.
According to the study, this import of renewable energy through green hydrogen carriers will become an essential part of the country's energy supply, complementing the sustainable transition based on domestically generated energy.
"Belgium has maritime ports and extensive pipeline infrastructure, is linked to the major industrial clusters and has the capacity to meet its own energy needs and those of surrounding countries," reads a statement by offshore installation contractor DEME, issued on behalf of the hydrogen import coalition.
Concrete steps
Now that the feasibility study has been completed, the coalition partners want to take some concrete next steps.
They will analyse how to prepare the country's seaports to receive the hydrogen carriers of the future, seeking maximum synergy to serve the national interests.
"Specific pilot projects are being set up whereby we can make maximum use of the Flemish expertise and strength in the area of logistics, industry and technology for the development of a sustainable economy and the climate transition in our own region and a broader hinterland," the statement reads.
Alexander De Croo, Prime Minister of Belgium: “Hydrogen will play a decisive role in the energy transition and in making our industry sustainable. This study provides essential new insights for the further roll-out of a hydrogen economy and the further reduction of CO2 emissions. The next step is to develop a long-term strategy for importing hydrogen.”
Jan Jambon, Prime Minister of the Flemish Government: “Flanders is ideally positioned to play a pioneering role in the hydrogen economy at a European level. It has the energy hubs of Antwerp and Zeebrugge, it has transportation infrastructure, an extensive network of pipelines to those ports and to Germany, and technology companies operating in it.”
Luc Vandenbulcke, CEO DEME: “Belgium can play a leading role in the green hydrogen economy and doing so, further reduce CO2 emissions. The results of the study are an important step forward in realizing these ambitions. The combination of renewable energy with green hydrogen in the energy supply is fully in line with DEME’s decarbonization strategy. DEME is now looking forward to the realization of green hydrogen projects, both in Belgium and abroad.”
Jacques Vandermeiren, CEO at Port of Antwerp: “We want to give hydrogen every chance as an energy carrier, a basic element for chemistry and a fuel, and are therefore committing ourselves as an active pioneer in the hydrogen economy. As a world port and Europe's largest integrated chemical cluster, we are an important link in this chain. The outcome of this study and its next steps offer promising perspectives for a further large-scale roll-out of hydrogen applications.”
Annick De Ridder, Port Alderman: “This study confirms that hydrogen can play a key role not only in making the port of Antwerp sustainable, but also in the rest of Europe. It is therefore crucial that, as a port of the future, we live up to our ambition and play a pioneering role in terms of sustainable solutions. Thanks to the collaboration between this coalition of partners with the right expertise and the government bodies involved, we have all the assets we need to take further concrete steps in this regard and to set an example for other ports and regions.”