Speech by Commissioner Simson at the on-site visit to Fluxys' hydrogen-ready pipeline

Good morning,

I truly feel very privileged to have the chance to stand here with my rubber boots on and visit this site.

Because it was just a year ago when we spent many long hours in discussion with Energy Ministers.

There were constant emergency meetings and emergency packages to end Russian manipulation, and replace pipeline gas flows from east to west with alternatives.

In this regard, you have helped Belgium and Member States to diversify away from Russian gas pipeline supplies.

Even more important is what you are planning to do in the future.

You are taking a big step forward towards a cleaner and more prosperous future for Europe.

Because at Fluxys, you'll be able to transport hydrogen, whether it's imported hydrogen arriving in Zeebrugge, or hydrogen from future production sites in the North Sea.

This is important for two reasons.

First, this hydrogen-ready pipeline will be part of new EU-wide hydrogen corridors.

These corridors will not only connect industrial hubs across the EU.

They will also help to decarbonise refineries, chemical sites, fertiliser production, steel production – and much more.

As EU Energy Commissioner, I'm playing my part to assist this transition.

Soon, we'll be finalising new laws on gas and hydrogen decarbonisation.

This will give market players for hydrogen and renewable gases a solid framework for operating and owning hydrogen infrastructure.

It's a solid foundation on which Fluxys can continue to build and prosper. And no doubt it will help us attract many more cutting-edge hydrogen infrastructure projects.

I will do my utmost to see these rules finalised by year-end.

Second, this hydrogen pipeline is just what we need for importing renewable hydrogen into the EU.

We already know that European hydrogen needs will surpass what we can produce here in Europe by 2030.

Which is why we have ambitious hydrogen import targets, and projects like this one will be key to creating the first hydrogen market in the world.

We're positioning the EU to lead the global charge in the energy transition.

This is about sustainability but also European competitiveness.

It's clear that our energy transition will require cooperation across the full supply chain. Both within countries – like here in Belgium – but also across European borders.

And all of this starts with visionary projects like yours.

Thank you and I look forward to seeing it with my own eyes.