February 27, 2025
GIE calls for stronger support for infrastructure for renewable and low-carbon gases in achieving EU decarbonisation and industrial competitiveness goals.
Gas Infrastructure Europe (GIE) welcomes the European Commission’s Clean Industrial Deal (CID) Communication and the Affordable Energy Action Plan as pivotal initiatives to enhance EU industrial competitiveness while securing a clean, stable, and cost-effective energy supply. Gas infrastructure plays a crucial role in decarbonising European industry and ensuring long-term energy resilience.
Addressing the financing gap for hydrogen and COâ‚‚ infrastructure is essential. Investments in emerging markets are exposed to higher risks, which need to be addressed and reduced. In the current context of the energy transition, the evolving infrastructure landscape and corresponding financing needs require constant assessment of existing and further financing tools.
A stronger integration between gas and electricity infrastructures—through sector coupling — will enhance energy system efficiency, reduce costs, and support a stable supply. Molecule infrastructure can help mitigate structural inefficiencies in the electricity system, reducing price volatility and congestion, while providing long-term energy storage and dispatchable energy.
Given the lengthy planning and construction timelines, immediate action is needed to develop hydrogen and CO₂ infrastructure. This will allow time to meet the EU’s 2030 climate targets and strengthen EU’s industry’s competitiveness. The CID rightly prioritizes the development of lead markets for hydrogen, CCUS, and biomethane. Public procurement policies should incentivise demand and ramp up production of decarbonised products.
Gas Infrastructure: A Pillar of Energy Security and Transition
Gas infrastructure has demonstrated its resilience by adapting to supply shocks, ensuring high storage levels, and expanding LNG import capacity. Looking ahead, biomethane and hydrogen will play an increasing role in decarbonising the gas grid, requiring supportive policies and financing tools. COâ‚‚ infrastructure is also critical in maintaining industrial competitiveness while meeting EU climate goals.
“We welcome the European Commission’s approach to bring decarbonisation and competitiveness of our industry together. With our well-connected infrastructure of gas pipelines, storages and terminals, GIE provides safe and reliable supply of energy to our European industries and households. At the same time, we are already adapting our infrastructure systems to transport, store and import renewable and low-carbon gases, which will enable our industry to decarbonise in a cost-efficient way,” said Lucie Boost, GIE Secretary General.
To learn more about GIE’s position on the Clean Industrial Deal, please read our full position paper: HERE.
Gas Infrastructure Europe (GIE) is the association representing the interests of European gas infrastructure operators active in gas transmission, gas storage and Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) regasification. GIE is a trusted partner of European institutions, regulatory bodies and industry stakeholders. It is based in Brussels, the heart of European policymaking. GIE currently represents 71 member companies from 25 countries. GIE’s vision is that by 2050, the gas infrastructure will be the backbone of the new innovative energy system, allowing European citizens to benefit from a secure, efficient and sustainable energy supply.
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