Proposal for a Motion for a Resolution
to the Plenary session of the European Parliament
on selected issues concerning the Hydrogen and decarbonised gas market
package1
The European Parliament (EP) recognises the urgent need to review the existing EU gas
legislation to consider the energy transition demands and reach the EU's energy and climate
goals. In this respect, EP welcomes the European Commission's (EC) publication of the Hydrogen
and Gas Market Decarbonisation package, underlining the importance of Hydrogen in the future
gas market.
The European Parliament (EP) recognises the Commission's proposals (regulation and directive)
to create the conditions for a shift from fossil natural gas to renewable and low-carbon gases, in
particular biomethane and Hydrogen, and strengthen the resilience of the gas system.
Note: these sections below indicate that the issue was not fully approved and needs to be
discussed at the Committees; a discussion is needed at this meeting.
One of the main aims is to establish a market for Hydrogen, create the right environment for
investment, and enable the development of dedicated infrastructure, including trade with third
countries. The market rules will be applied in two phases, before and after 2030, covering access
to hydrogen infrastructures, separation of hydrogen production and transport activities, and tariff
setting.
A new governance structure in the form of the European Network of Network Operators for
Hydrogen (ENNOH) will be created to promote a dedicated hydrogen infrastructure, cross-border
coordination and interconnector network construction and elaborate on specific technical rules.
The new rules will make it easier for renewable and low-carbon gases to access the existing gas
grid by removing tariffs for cross-border interconnections and lowering tariffs at injection points.
They also created a certification system for low-carbon gases to complete the work started in
the Renewable Energy Directive with the certification of renewable gases. This will ensure a level
playing field in assessing the complete greenhouse gas emissions footprint of different gases and
allow the Member States to compare and consider them in their energy mix effectively.
1 Please note that this draft is general motion, the final version of this document will bet the subject of our
discusion
In order to avoid locking Europe in with fossil natural gas and to make more space for clean
gases in the European gas market, the Commission proposes that long-term contracts for
unabated fossil natural gas should not be extended beyond 2049.
Another priority of the package is consumer empowerment and protection. Mirroring the
provisions already applicable in the electricity market, consumers may switch suppliers more
efficiently, use practical price comparison tools, get accurate, fair and transparent billing
information, and have better access to data and new innovative technology. Consumers should
be able to choose renewable and low-carbon gases over fossil fuels.
High energy prices in recent months have drawn attention to the importance of energy security,
especially when global markets are volatile. The Commission has proposed to improve the
resilience of the gas system and strengthen the existing security of supply provisions, as promised
in the Communication and Toolbox on Energy Prices of 13 October and as requested by the
Member States. In case of shortages, no household in Europe will be left alone, with enhanced
mechanical solidarity across borders through new pre-defined arrangements and clarifications on
controls and compensations within the internal energy market. The proposal extends current rules
to renewables and low carbon gases and introduces new provisions to cover emerging
cybersecurity risks. Finally, it will foster a more strategic approach to gas storage, integrating
storage considerations into risk assessment at the regional level. The proposal also enables joint
procurement by the Member States to have strategic stocks in line with the EU competition rules.