Energy Groups Urged EU to Revise Hydrogen Regulations
Coalitions seek relaxed production standards to accelerate the hydrogen market ramp-up before the year's end.
Updated on Sept. 23, 2026 in Energy
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Around two dozen energy associations have formally petitioned the European Commission to revise the production criteria for renewable fuels of non-biological origin (RFNBO). The move aims to address current market stagnation by modifying the strict regulatory framework established under Delegated Regulation (EU) 2023/1184.
Why it matters
The requested changes are designed to de-risk investment in the hydrogen value chain, which signatories argue is currently hampered by stringent compliance hurdles. These proposals reflect a wider push to harmonize policy with the practical realities of industrial renewable hydrogen production.
The proposal seeks to shift the bidding zone threshold for renewable electricity from 90 percent to 80 percent. Additionally, it calls for maintaining monthly temporal correlation for fuel production and delaying the full application of additionality criteria until 2035.
The players
European Commission
The executive branch of the European Union responsible for drafting legislation and managing the bloc's energy policy framework.
BDI
The Federation of German Industries, representing the interests of German industrial sectors including hydrogen energy users.
The details
The associations are targeting Delegated Regulation (EU) 2023/1184, which defines the conditions under which hydrogen can be labeled as renewable. Currently, producers face hourly temporal correlation—a requirement that hydrogen be produced in the same hour as the electricity used—and high regional thresholds for renewable grid utilization. By requesting a move to monthly correlation and lowering the bidding zone renewable requirement, the signatories aim to reduce the operational complexity required for large-scale electrolysis.
Timeline
September 22, 2026: Associations sent a formal joint letter to the European Commission.
September 2026: The coalition requested a clear timeline for the regulatory revision process.
Before end of 2026: The target date for the Commission to publish the final revision proposal.
2035: The proposed deadline for the full application of additionality criteria.
The Tech Race
This effort follows the established framework of Delegated Regulation (EU) 2023/1184, which governs the eligibility of green hydrogen within the European market. It marks a push to align current policy with slower-than-expected market growth to ensure the viability of long-term hydrogen projects.
The proposal primarily affects industrial players and infrastructure investors who rely on clear regulatory definitions for hydrogen production. If adopted, these changes would shift the economic viability of new electrolysis projects by relaxing the technical requirements for grid electricity sourcing.
The takeaway
The industry's push highlights the friction between stringent environmental standards and the practical speed of energy sector decarbonization. Watch for the Commission's response regarding the revision of bidding zone thresholds before the end of the year, which will signal the future of project feasibility.
Further reading
For more context on the current regulatory landscape, explore our coverage of Energy.
Live Poll
Should the EU prioritize easier production rules to boost renewable hydrogen investment?
