Given the volumes of hydrogen needed to fully decarbonize the economy, by 2050 hydrogen imports could represent a significant amount of Belgium’s energy supply. As a result, studying the geopolitical drivers and implications of hydrogen import is important.
 

A number of major industrial players are already studying the feasibility of large scale hydrogen imports from outside the EU. Over time, Belgium could thus trade its dependence on imports of oil and gas for a dependence on imports of hydrogen
 

This project will be the first to examine the security of supply implications of large scale imports of (green) hydrogen and derived fuels. It has three related goals:

1. to develop a range of scenarios to map out the scope for hydrogen imports and identify potential supplier countries and trade routes across different hydrogen value chains

2. to compare the security of supply risks of trade in hydrogen and related energy carriers (e.g. ammonia) with other energy commodities such as crude oil, piped natural gas, LNG, and electricity

3. to discuss regulatory options at various levels (regional, federal, European, global) to govern hydrogen trade and associated risks (certification, strategic stocks, ownership unbundling, etc.)