Belgium’s ambition to lead in developing a hydrogen grid was proved once again last Thursday: the plenary of the House of Representatives approved the first hydrogen law to regulate the transport of green hydrogen via pipelines.

It may be the first such law worldwide, according to the cabinet of Energy Minister Tinne Van der Straeten (Groen). To green heavy industry and move away from fossil fuels – they account for almost a third of Belgium’s CO2 emissions – Belgium wants to import massive amounts of green hydrogen.

The latter will be produced using solar or wind energy from regions such as the Middle East, North Africa, or Southern Europe. In particular, several agreements are already in the draft with Oman, Chile, and Namibia.

Energy Minister Tinne Van der Straeten (Groen) launched the first federal hydrogen strategy in 2021. The new Hydrogen Act now introduces a regulatory framework for transporting hydrogen by pipeline.

600 km of pipelines

The intention is to designate a single grid operator for hydrogen transport in Belgium, similar to what the managing company Elia does for the Belgian high-voltage grid. The system operator will be responsible for free access to the transport network and for guaranteeing hydrogen quality.

Which one it will be may be decided by the end of this year. But according to the business newspaper De Tijd, everything indicates that Fluxys will have a monopoly on hydrogen pipelines.

600 km of underground pipelines

Belgium currently has 600 km of underground pipelines in the hydrogen transport network, with hubs around the ports of Ghent and Antwerp. This network is mainly to the credit of Air Liquide. Today, the French multinational already has almost 1 000 km of hydrogen pipelines in use in the Benelux.

According to Van der Straeten, this is the second largest in the world after the US, with 2 600 km of pipelines. “Belgium is at the forefront of renewable hydrogen,” the Minister makes the case. “By regulating hydrogen now, we strengthen this lead.”

According to the Minister, the Belgian law could also inspire the EU. After all, a European standard is still being negotiated at that level. She says that  Belgium can also become the “hydrogen gateway to Europe” thanks to this leas, alluding to the assets that Belgian ports can play.