Hydrogen Ireland Association

EU Legislative Interests

Hydrogen Ireland’s work is closely aligned with the core legislative and strategic frameworks shaping Europe’s transition to a climate‑neutral, resilient, and integrated energy system. Our focus is on ensuring that hydrogen policy, regulation, and infrastructure development across the EU are coherent, future‑proof, and capable of supporting Ireland’s emerging hydrogen economy. Hydrogen Ireland engages directly with the Renewable Energy Directive (RED II and RED III), particularly the provisions governing renewable fuels of non‑biological origin (RFNBOs), additionality, temporal matching, and certification. These rules are central to enabling credible, scalable hydrogen production in Ireland and ensuring interoperability with European markets. We also target the Alternative Fuels Infrastructure Regulation (AFIR), which plays a critical role in shaping hydrogen refuelling networks, cross‑border connectivity, and the integration of hydrogen into Europe’s transport and mobility systems. For Ireland, an island with unique geographic and grid characteristics, AFIR’s flexibility and alignment with hydrogen valleys are essential. Hydrogen Ireland contributes to discussions on the Trans‑European Networks for Energy (TEN‑E) and Trans‑European Transport Network (TEN‑T) regulations, supporting the inclusion of hydrogen pipelines, storage, and mobility corridors as strategic infrastructure. These frameworks are vital for connecting Ireland’s renewable resources to European demand centres and ensuring long‑term system resilience. We engage with the EU Hydrogen Strategy, the Hydrogen Bank, and the Net‑Zero Industry Act (NZIA), all of which influence investment signals, market design, and the development of a competitive European hydrogen value chain. Hydrogen Ireland advocates for policies that support innovation, PFAS‑free electrolysis, skills development, and regional hydrogen ecosystems. Finally, we monitor and contribute to EU initiatives on energy security, industrial decarbonisation, and cross‑border cooperation, ensuring that Ireland’s hydrogen sector is aligned with Europe’s broader climate, competitiveness, and resilience objectives.

Communication Activities

Hydrogen Ireland undertakes a wide range of communication activities designed to support understanding, engagement, and alignment with key EU hydrogen and energy‑transition policies. Our work focuses on translating complex legislative frameworks — including RED III, AFIR, TEN‑E/TEN‑T, the EU Hydrogen Strategy, and the Net‑Zero Industry Act — into clear, accessible messages for industry, policymakers, communities, and the wider public. We host regular conferences, workshops, and technical briefings that bring together stakeholders from across Ireland, Northern Ireland, and Europe to discuss the implications of evolving EU legislation. These events provide a platform for sharing best practice, showcasing hydrogen valley progress, and exploring how EU policy can be implemented effectively in an Irish context. Our annual Hydrogen Ireland Conference has become a key forum for discussing EU regulatory developments, certification requirements, and infrastructure planning. Hydrogen Ireland also produces publications, policy papers, and guidance notes that interpret EU proposals such as RED III’s RFNBO rules, AFIR’s infrastructure requirements, and the Hydrogen Bank’s support mechanisms. These materials help industry and local authorities understand compliance pathways, investment signals, and opportunities within EU programmes. We regularly contribute to public consultations, ensuring Ireland’s perspective is represented in the development of EU hydrogen policy. Through our Hydrogen Training Academy, we deliver skills‑focused communication activities that explain EU standards, safety requirements, and certification frameworks to the emerging workforce. This ensures that Ireland’s skills pipeline is aligned with European regulatory expectations. We maintain active cross‑border communication channels with partners in Northern Ireland and the UK to support interoperability and shared understanding of EU and UK regulatory divergence. This is particularly important for hydrogen valleys and transport corridors that operate across jurisdictions. Hydrogen Ireland also engages in public outreach and media communication, providing balanced, evidence‑based information on hydrogen’s role in the energy transition. This includes commentary on EU policy developments, participation in national and regional media, and collaboration with community groups to build awareness and trust around new hydrogen infrastructure. Across all activities, our communication approach is grounded in clarity, neutrality, and system value. We aim to ensure that EU hydrogen policy is understood not only as a regulatory framework, but as an opportunity for Ireland to strengthen energy security, accelerate decarbonisation, and contribute meaningfully to Europe’s clean‑energy future.

Interests Represented

Promotes their own interests or the collective interests of their members

Member Of

Hydrogen Europe

Organisation Members

www.HydrogenIreland.org