Vidzeme University of Applied Sciences(ViA), together with researchers from Riga Technical University and the Tallinn Center of the Stockholm Environment Institute, as well as professionals from the companies “Genevos SAS” (France) and SIA “A2Z Gannet” (Latvia), launched the project “Coastal Fishing Vessels Powered by Zero-Emission Hydrogen Fuel Cells (H2-SEAS)”.
The project researchers have conducted a first-of-its-kind literature analysis, including a legislative analysis, and provide a first insight into the extent to which Latvia, Estonia and France are ready to use hydrogen as a fuel. The barriers identified by the researchers for the use of hydrogen in Latvia are:
- The national energy and climate policy documents do not specify specific hydrocarbon use and do not provide for specific actions
- As an obstacle to hydrogen production and deployment of fueling stations, the national policy document mentions the lack of experience of state institutions and the lack of appropriate legislation regarding the deployment of hydrogen fueling stations, which complicates the administrative process for obtaining the necessary permits, causing delays and additional costs
- The country has not yet developed a hydrogen strategy
- The biggest obstacle to the introduction of hydrogen in Latvia, as in other countries, is the lack of cheap renewable energy for hydrogen production.
A large part of Latvia's thermal energy and electricity is still obtained from imported natural gas, but there are changes in the field of marine energy, however, it is expected that Latvia will remain dependent on imports.
The project’s recommendations for policy makers on promoting the use of hydrogen in small-scale fisheries are based on reviews of current policies and legislation, as well as on the experience of project partners working on energy and environmental policy planning and implementation at national level in the respective countries. The main conclusions drawn from the initial literature review are as follows:
1. When revising European Union Hydrogen Strategy, refer to and present sector specific tangible goals like goal of transition to carbon neutral fuels in fisheries by 2050.
The current Hydrogen Strategy does not contain any reference to hydrogen use in fisheries.
2. Continue to pursue transition to renewable energy particularly supporting the rapid enlargement large scale offshore wind energy production linked with hydrogen production.
Main barrier to wider use of hydrogen is lack of affordable renewable energy.
3. Together with supporting production, storage, and distribution of hydrogen, consider also measures for encouraging the demand side in order to create a market for hydrogen.
One of the barriers to hydrogen deployment is lack of demand.
4. Take measures to reduce the legal and administrative barriers in the production, storage, and distribution of hydrogen.
One of the barriers to hydrogen use in fisheries is bureaucracy, lengthy and costly permitting procedures to invest in hydrogen production, storage, and distribution facilities.
5. Take action to phase out harmful subsidies for the production and use of fossil fuels.
Subsidies for fossil fuel production and use distort the market and prevent transition to carbon neutral fuels.
6. Adopt Commission proposal to revise the Energy Tax Directive (COM(2021) 563 final).
ETD is not in line with EU climate and energy objectives, taxes on fossil fuels are low and do not cover external costs of production and use of fossil fuels.
7. When preparing and adopting regulations for use of European Maritime and Fisheries Fund (EMFF), require inclusion of hydrogen infrastructure development in national programming documents.
Development of infrastructure allowing access to hydrogen fuelling in small fishing harbours is not prioritized in EMFF programming.
8. Current CFP Regulation should be revised in order to accommodate repowering of fishing fleet with hydrogen propulsion systems.
Current regulation restricts changes in tonnage and engine capacity of registered vessels.
9. Member States should develop dedicated administrative support for Small-scale Coastal fishers at the local level that would help them access EU funds.
Currently fishermen lack information, competence and skill to fill in web-based bureaucratic application formats to access funds.
10. Member States should develop strategic plans at the local level to facilitate access to funding for Small-scale Coastal Fisheries enterprises. These plans should aim at achieving their resilience, sustainability and adaptability to external factors, including increased funding towards investments for fleet energy transition to use hydrogen and establishing supply infrastructure in fishing harbours.
Currently such dedicated funding plans are missing and Small-scale Coastal fishermen are not able to compete with larger fishing companies over the funds.
Read full document: HERE
Horizon Europe Research and Innovation (2021-2027) Missions 2023-2024
Work Programme “Restore our ocean and waters by 2030”, the call HORIZON-MISS-2023-OCEAN-01-05, Grant Agreement: 101157530
