45 Amendments of Ivan ŠTEFANEC related to 2023/2123(INI)
Amendment 14 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital D a (new)
Recital D a (new)
Da. whereas the European electrolyser manufacturing industry has set an objective of installing at least 25GW of manufacturing capacity by 2025 in order to fulfil the 10 million tonnes of domestic production of renewable hydrogen in the EU by 2030, representing around 120 GW of installed capacity in Europe;
Amendment 19 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital E
Recital E
E. whereas fuel cells and electrolysers require chemicals, technology-intensive components and several critical raw materials, in particular platinum-group metals, the main producers of which are either not located in the EU or whose production in the EU has been curtailed due to uncompetitive operating conditions;
Amendment 24 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital F
Recital F
F. whereas a market for renewable and low-carbon hydrogen remains to be built and will require appropriate customer protection and significant investments in order to achieve climate and carbon neutrality targets to be incentivised in all hard-to-abate sectors;
Amendment 30 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital F a (new)
Recital F a (new)
Fa. whereas end-use demand for renewable and low-carbon products needs to be incentivised in all sectors;
Amendment 31 #
Motion for a resolution
Subheading -1
Subheading -1
Clarifying the role of the Hydrogen Bank as an “Umbrella-scheme”
Amendment 32 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Welcomes the Commission communication on the European Hydrogen Bank (EHB); notes that the name ‘European Hydrogen Bank’ can be misleading, as this is not a bank but an initiative aiming to coordinate activities and financing to support renewable and low-carbon hydrogen projects; considers that the EHB should bear clear responsibility for the implementation of the recommendations included in this resolution under an efficient and streamlined “umbrella-scheme”;
Amendment 35 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 a (new)
Paragraph 1 a (new)
1a. Encourages the Commission to provide more funding support and visibility to that initiative, as it will represent an important milestone for kick- starting the European hydrogen market;
Amendment 37 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 a (new)
Paragraph 1 a (new)
1a. Stresses that the European Hydrogen Bank can act complementarily to the Net-Zero Industry Act, serving the increased demand for EU-produced hydrogen and the installed production of electrolysers;
Amendment 49 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Considers that, to secure the EU’s industrial sovereignty in a context of open strategic autonomy, the EHB should strongly prioritise ramping up domestic production, while enabling the ramp-up of competitive import sources of renewable hydrogen;
Amendment 62 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Emphasises that Hydrogen Valleys and related infrastructures play an important role in fostering innovation and contributing to the local economy, as they provide secured clusters of hydrogen supply and demand in Europe; notes therefore that the EHB has the responsibility to coordinate and support all relevant consumption centres across Hydrogen Valleys and upscale the large- scale hydrogen flagship projects;
Amendment 67 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5 a (new)
Paragraph 5 a (new)
5a. Stresses that the EHB should support, and act as an “umbrella-scheme” for, the whole supply chain of hydrogen across the Union;
Amendment 68 #
Motion for a resolution
Subheading 1
Subheading 1
Financial support for the domestic production of renewable and low-carbon hydrogen
Amendment 70 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Welcomes the Commission’s decision to launch a first price-based pilot auction to support renewable hydrogen; takes note of the budget of EUR 800 million for supporting the production of renewable hydrogen over 10 years;
Amendment 74 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6 a (new)
Paragraph 6 a (new)
6a. Asks the Commission to not only consider price, but also to explore the inclusion of a clear system of bonus points for the ranking of bids; notes that such a system should reward bids that deliver the highest level of sustainability or lead to significant job creation and promote high-quality traineeships and the reskilling or upskilling of workers within the EU;
Amendment 75 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6 b (new)
Paragraph 6 b (new)
6b. Stresses that the EHB should support the production of hydrogen based on renewable electricity; notes that where not sufficient renewable electricity (i.e. additional renewable electricity) is available, as a transition period and up to a certain point, low-carbon electricity should be allowed to be used for the production of hydrogen supported via the EHB;
Amendment 76 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6 c (new)
Paragraph 6 c (new)
6c. Agrees with a ceiling price as proposed by the Commission, in order to avoid overcompensation for the winning projects; notes, however, that as the delta between production and consumption of hydrogen will be high, at least at the very beginning, the ceiling price for the first call should be set at five euros per kilo for renewable hydrogen production;
Amendment 78 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
7. Asks the Commission to consider complementary mechanisms for off-takers such as grants, contracts for difference and carbon contracts for difference; endorses also the Commission’s proposal to support producers with a fixed premium as it is a simple and transparent way to remunerate projects;
Amendment 81 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7 a (new)
Paragraph 7 a (new)
7a. Calls on the Commission to revisit its proposed terms for cumulation of State aid as most hydrogen projects within the EU, which could sustainably deliver on relevant quantities, risk to be automatically excluded from the first EHB call;
Amendment 82 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7 b (new)
Paragraph 7 b (new)
Amendment 83 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8
Paragraph 8
8. Reiterates the importance of geographical and sectoral balance to enable the production and use of renewable and low-carbon hydrogen across the EU; calls on the Commission to develop sectoral and regional auctions, providing the opportunity for all Member States to develop their hydrogen economy despite varying access to renewables, preferably close to projects under the Net-Zero Industry Act and in “net-zero valleys”;
Amendment 90 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9
Paragraph 9
9. Stresses that the design of future auctions should prioritise, but not restrict, the sale of renewable and low-carbon hydrogen to hard-to-abate industries and heavy transport, considering in particular sectors subject to a renewable hydrogen mandate under the Renewable Energy Directive alongside heavy transport and the maritime sector;
Amendment 94 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9 a (new)
Paragraph 9 a (new)
9a. Calls for clarity and coherence about the time of commissioning of projects, as it has to be sufficient and provide certainty that the equipment and infrastructure for the projects can be procured on time; stresses, therefore, that a maximum time of 5 years for the realisation of the projects has to be considered;
Amendment 97 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9 b (new)
Paragraph 9 b (new)
9b. Asks the Commission to facilitate the access of SMEs in the bidding process, e.g. via a lower capacity minimum, the possibility of pooling and the submission of bids ahead of permits to ensure financial security;
Amendment 106 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11
Paragraph 11
11. Recognises the urgent need to scale up the production of electrolysers in the EU; proposes differentiating between operating and capital expenditurealong with other hydrogen technologies in the EU; considers that potential support for capital expenditure on low-carbon hydrogen should onprimarily be directed towards investments that can contribute to the production of renewable hydrogen and the transition to climate neutrality at a later stage, in particular the purchase of electrolysers, and should not cover operating expenditure on low-carbon hydrogen;
Amendment 109 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11 a (new)
Paragraph 11 a (new)
11a. Supports the Commission’s approach to further consult stakeholders on other elements, such as the use of bids or completion bonds (covering potentially the amount of 7.5% of the total support volume), making the tool more efficient to project developers and stakeholders;
Amendment 116 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12
Paragraph 12
12. Welcomes the Commission’s idea of launching the concept of ‘auctions as a service’; considers that this could lower the administrative costs for the Member States; stresses that the administrative burdens in the application process should be reduced, as far as possible, so that the award processes can also be handled by SMEs;
Amendment 125 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14
Paragraph 14
14. Calls for an evaluation of the EU Energy Platform and the joint purchases of gas established by the Council under Article 122 TFEU; calls on the Commission to start working on a legislative proposal under the ordinary legislativen impact assessment to extend the duration of the EU Energy Platform also to the hydrogen market; notes, in the same spirit, that the joint procedure to extend the duration of the EU Energy Platformment mechanism should be expanded also for the facilitation of hydrogen imports;
Amendment 130 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15
Paragraph 15
15. Notes that, despite an increase in the domestic production of renewable and low-carbon hydrogen, growing demand would require imports from non-EU countries; stresses that the EHB should exploit synergies on the acceleration of imports of renewable hydrogen, addressing the increasing demand of the European market;
Amendment 135 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15 a (new)
Paragraph 15 a (new)
15a. Stresses altogether the importance of importing renewable hydrogen from third countries for reaching the target of 10 million tonnes of imported hydrogen by 2030 as set in the REPowerEU Plan, in order to ensure a proper balance between internal industrial policy and hydrogen diplomacy abroad;
Amendment 137 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16
Paragraph 16
16. Recalls that the CBAM will apply to hydrogen; calls on the Commission to deliver a robust certification scheme in line with the revised Renewable Energy Directive for imports of renewable hydrogen, equivalent to the rules applying to domestic production, safeguarding a level playing field for reliable international partners; calls on the Commission to ensure that the CBAM adequately ensures a level playing field for hydrogen produced in Europe, including with regard to the indirect carbon costs that are passed on to consumers in European electricity prices but are not faced by consumers in other regions of the world;
Amendment 143 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17
Paragraph 17
17. Urges the Commission to expand the joint procurement mechanism to facilitate hydrogen imports, to prepare guidelines with clear criteria for the selection of producers from non-EU countries that would be eligible for support, based on geopolitical risks, and their potential reduction through cooperation alignment with EU values and commitment to sustainability;
Amendment 150 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18
Paragraph 18
18. Stresses the importance of diversifying suppliers and maintaining a fair global playing field when providing support for renewable hydrogen production in non-EU countries; proposes requiring the use of the euro for imports of renewable hydrogen receiving EU support, in order to become the global currency of reference for hydrogen exchanges worldwide, as presented in the Hydrogen Accelerator;
Amendment 153 #
Motion for a resolution
Subheading 3 a
Subheading 3 a
Financial support for the transportation of renewable and low-carbon hydrogen
Amendment 154 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18 a (new)
Paragraph 18 a (new)
18a. Emphasises that for a successful acceleration of the hydrogen market, it is necessary to have the appropriate infrastructure in place, not only for the import of hydrogen, but also for the production of hydrogen in Europe;
Amendment 155 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18 b (new)
Paragraph 18 b (new)
18b. Supports the idea of developing local infrastructure for hard-to-abate sectors and hydrogen valleys, mitigating transportation costs by enhancing exploitation of hydrogen in the areas of production;
Amendment 156 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18 c (new)
Paragraph 18 c (new)
18c. Recognises the need to ensure sufficient investments into hydrogen infrastructure connecting supply and demand; emphasises the urgency to build a hydrogen infrastructure (e.g. the European Hydrogen Backbone) to distribute hydrogen throughout the EU and therefore ensure that hydrogen can reach those industries that need it the most;
Amendment 157 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18 d (new)
Paragraph 18 d (new)
18d. Considers both grants and (carbon) contracts for difference with a transportation cost component as suitable instruments to support investments into hydrogen infrastructure; stresses, in the same perspective, that additional resources should be allocated to the CEF, enhancing the funding of relevant infrastructure by inviting the Commission to mobilise EU funding also under Cohesion Policy and the RRF;
Amendment 158 #
Motion for a resolution
Subheading 4
Subheading 4
Streamlining of EU instruments and financial implicationmechanisms
Amendment 159 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19
Paragraph 19
19. Takes note of the budget of EUR 3 billion for the EHB that was announced in the 2022 State of the Union address; calls on the Commission to significantly increase this budget; stresses that the budget of €800 million for the pilot auction should be increased to 2 billion euros per year until 2030 and to enshrine it into the legislative framework;
Amendment 163 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19 a (new)
Paragraph 19 a (new)
Amendment 167 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19 b (new)
Paragraph 19 b (new)
19b. Urges the Commission to examine the possibility of a potential raise of the duration support from 10 to 15 years with subsequent increase of the budget of EUR 800 million over the next years;
Amendment 168 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20
Paragraph 20
20. Asks the Commission to clarify the yearly budget available for the next five years under each pillar of the EHB, prepare a road map of planned auctions and, where appropriate, make a legislative proposal for a financial instrument targeting imports from non-EU countries under the umbrella of the EHB; stresses that the dates of any future auction rounds should be announced at least 24 months in advance;
Amendment 172 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20 a (new)
Paragraph 20 a (new)
20a. Stresses that funding for the EHB should not negatively impact the resources available under the Innovation Fund, which are themselves urgently needed to facilitate the transition to carbon neutrality; notes that, in addition to the Innovation Fund, other funding sources should be considered, such as unused RRF and MFF funds; suggests to the Commission to explore the possibility to establish a mechanism within the EHB to ensure synergies and coordinate resources from the RRF, the JTF, MFF and other related funds;
Amendment 174 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21
Paragraph 21
Amendment 189 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23
Paragraph 23
23. Stresses the need for an annual report by the Commission assessing progress in the development of the renewable and low-carbon hydrogen market and evaluating the activities of the EHB; asks that this report also evaluate the geographical breakdown of funding, the number of jobs created, changes in supply and demand, the cost of renewable hydrogen compared to other forms of hydrogen, and the development of dedicated hydrogen infrastructures;