Synthetic substitutes for conventional oil and gas will be key to decarbonising European industry and the new European Commission must support the development of so-called power-to-x technologies, according to an open letter from a coalition of 17 European business associations. The letter, addressed to new EU Commission vice-president Frans Timmermans, was initiated by German engineering association VDMA. In it, the lobby groups call on the Commission to establish a European Hydrogen Strategy, including a roadmap for the development of an industrialised and competitive hydrogen market, according to Clean Energy Wire.

The letter also recommends the Commission promote sector coupling, support research and development, establish a level playing field for all technologies, and “globally promote power-to-x as a crucial technology for reaching the goals of the Paris Agreement.”