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Fluxys SA

Fluxys is a Belgian energy infrastructure group specializing in gas transmission, storage, and liquefied natural gas.

Lobbying Activity

Fluxys Urges Inclusion of Multi-Molecule Infrastructure in EU Taxonomy

4 Dec 2025
Topic — The EU is reviewing the technical screening criteria for environmentally sustainable economic activities.
Message — Fluxys requests including multi-molecule infrastructure and gas transformation processes. They argue network-related infrastructure necessary for delivery should be recognized.12
Why — This would secure access to green financing and public funding for infrastructure projects.3
Impact — Pure-hydrogen advocates lose if funding is diverted toward systems still using natural gas.4
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Meeting with Mechthild Woersdoerfer (Deputy Director-General Energy)

24 Oct 2025 · Exchange of views on REPowerEU, hydrogen policy and carbon capture, utilisation and storage (CCUS)

Fluxys urges independent operators for EU carbon transport network

11 Sept 2025
Topic — This initiative aims to develop competitive transportation infrastructure and markets for captured CO2.
Message — The organization proposes neutral carbon network operators legally unbundled from emitters. They suggest a light form of regulated access to balance infrastructure with investment. They call for a guarantee mechanism to address liabilities that are hard to insure.123
Why — Fluxys would leverage its gas expertise to dominate the market through pipeline repurposing.4
Impact — Private firms are restricted from building dedicated infrastructure for their own industrial needs.5
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Fluxys urges including hydrogen and CO2 in EU grid package

5 Aug 2025
Topic — This consultation addresses measures to modernize, expand, and digitalize European energy grid infrastructure.
Message — Fluxys wants hydrogen and carbon dioxide infrastructure integrated into the grid plan alongside electricity. They advocate for financial de-risking tools and cost-sharing between gas and carbon operators. The group seeks faster permitting for repurposed pipelines through overriding public interest status.123
Why — Repurposing existing assets with preserved permits would significantly lower their capital expenditure.4
Impact — Existing gas users could pay more to subsidize the development of carbon networks.5
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Fluxys Urges EU to Boost Carbon Storage Support

8 Jul 2025
Topic — A review of the EU's carbon market rules for aviation, shipping, and industry.
Message — Fluxys wants all carbon market revenues spent on industrial projects like hydrogen. They also request a guarantee scheme for carbon capture risks and recognition of storage sites in the UK.123
Why — These changes would reduce investment risks and boost demand for their CO2 transport infrastructure.45
Impact — Member States would lose the power to spend carbon auction revenues on other priorities.6
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Meeting with Cristina Lobillo Borrero (Director Energy)

11 Apr 2025 · LNG contracts and phase-out of Russian supplies

Meeting with Peter Van Kemseke (Cabinet of President Ursula von der Leyen)

3 Apr 2025 · North Sea

Meeting with Jozef Síkela (Commissioner) and ELECTRICITE DE FRANCE and

28 Mar 2025 · H2 Financing Facility

Fluxys seeks simplified EU reporting rules for gas infrastructure

26 Mar 2025
Topic — The initiative proposes simplifying sustainability reporting to reduce administrative burdens on companies.
Message — Fluxys asks to exclude 2025 data and clarify how reporting thresholds apply. They suggest replacing detailed environmental checks with simple statements of legal compliance.123
Why — This would reduce the high costs and effort of documenting specific infrastructure activities.4
Impact — Environmental monitors lose access to granular data on local water and biodiversity impacts.5
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Meeting with Joachim Balke (Head of Unit Energy)

8 Jan 2025 · Fluxys’ plans for the envisaged hydrogen and carbon dioxide network in Belgium

Fluxys urges simpler EU rules for low-carbon hydrogen investments

24 Oct 2024
Topic — EU consultation on methodology to calculate greenhouse gas savings for low-carbon fuels.
Message — Fluxys requests a simple regulatory framework that provides certainty for investments. They propose a grandfathering clause for existing projects and the removal of additionality and correlation requirements.123
Why — A flexible framework would lower costs and provide stability for their infrastructure investments.45
Impact — Environmental advocates lose safeguards meant to ensure hydrogen production uses new renewable capacity.6
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Meeting with Kurt Vandenberghe (Director-General Climate Action)

1 Oct 2024 · waterstof en CO2-captatie

Fluxys urges flexible monitoring rules for CO2 transport networks

25 Jul 2024
Topic — This consultation updates rules for monitoring and reporting greenhouse gas emissions under the EU ETS.
Message — Fluxys advocates for flexible measurement methods and an alternative definition for CO2 in transit. They also emphasize including carbon transfers to non-EU countries to support emerging markets.123
Why — This provides operators with technical flexibility and prevents costs from rigid reporting deadlines.45
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Fluxys urges pan-European network to interconnect hydrogen valleys

5 Sept 2023
Topic — Strategic roadmap for doubling Hydrogen Valleys to meet REPowerEU production targets.
Message — Fluxys believes a pan-European network is essential for interconnecting Hydrogen Valleys. They request a regulatory framework providing non-discriminatory access and regulated tariffs.12
Why — Supportive funding initiatives would reduce financial risks for major infrastructure developers.3
Impact — Remote industries lose if the network build-out remains scattered and disconnected.4
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Fluxys Urges EU to Prioritize Cross-Border CO2 Transport Infrastructure

31 Aug 2023
Topic — EU consultation on the strategic deployment of carbon capture, utilization, and storage.
Message — Fluxys calls for a regulatory framework ensuring independent CO2 infrastructure operation and predictable revenue. They recommend standardizing CO2 specifications and including transport goals in the Net-Zero Industry Act.12
Why — These rules would position existing gas grid operators as the primary builders of new CO2 networks.3
Impact — Private competitors may be sidelined as infrastructure is classified as a regulated natural monopoly.4
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Meeting with Kurt Vandenberghe (Director-General Climate Action)

24 Aug 2023 · The future regulatory framework for CO2

Meeting with Kadri Simson (Commissioner) and

7 Jul 2023 · Hydrogen and CCUS.

Fluxys urges EU to include CO2 transport in industry act

27 Jun 2023
Topic — EU consultation on the Net-Zero Industry Act to scale up carbon capture and storage capacity.
Message — Fluxys recommends including specific objectives for CO2 transport infrastructure in the Net-Zero Industry Act. They request that streamlined permitting and licensing processes apply to transport projects. They also advocate for a Europe-wide market covering the UK and Norway.123
Why — Fluxys would benefit by securing its status as a regulated monopoly operator for CO2 transport.4
Impact — Private developers lose by being barred from cherry-picking the most profitable carbon infrastructure segments.5
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Meeting with Ditte Juul-Joergensen (Director-General Energy)

12 Jun 2023 · Energy market

Meeting with Ruud Kempener (Cabinet of Commissioner Kadri Simson)

15 May 2023 · Presentation of company and their latest views on the upcoming hydrogen and gas decarbonisation package

Meeting with Maroš Šefčovič (Executive Vice-President) and

20 Dec 2022 · EU Energy Platform; Bulgargaz, SPP, EPH, DEPA, Geoplin, Eesti Gaas, Enovos, DEFA, Conexus Baltic Grid, GOGC participated as well.

Meeting with Ditte Juul-Joergensen (Director-General Energy) and TotalEnergies SE and

20 Dec 2022 · Energy Platform. Bulgargaz, SPP, EPH, DEPA, Geoplin, Eesti Gaas, Enovos, DEFA, Conexus Baltic Grid and GOGC participated as well.

Meeting with Clara De-La-Torre (Acting Director-General Climate Action)

15 Nov 2022 · Fluxys presented its work on hydrogen network in Belgium

Fluxys Calls for Flexible Rules to Boost Hydrogen Infrastructure

12 Apr 2022
Topic — The EU is revising gas market rules to support renewable hydrogen deployment.
Message — Fluxys requests flexible unbundling rules to allow synergies between gas and hydrogen operations. They suggest using trading certificates instead of complex tariff discounts.12
Why — Flexible unbundling models would allow Fluxys to protect investments and operational efficiency.34
Impact — Private network exemptions could restrict consumer choices and limit hydrogen market liquidity.5
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Response to Revision of EU rules on Gas

12 Apr 2022

Fluxys is a fully independent gas infrastructure group with 1,200 employees active in gas transmission & storage and liquified natural gas terminalling across Belgium, Germany, France, and the UK. Fluxys welcomes the Commission’s proposal to decarbonize the European gas market and to facilitate the uptake of low-carbon and renewable hydrogen. We very much appreciate the increased emphasis on integrated network planning and the application of key internal market principles to hydrogen from the outset. At the same time, we believe that more measures will be necessary to ensure an integrated energy system and fully optimize synergies between different energy carries. Fluxys would therefore like to propose the following recommendations: 1. The Commission’s proposal should ensure that unbundling requirements facilitate the rapid decarbonization of the European gas market: - Requirements on horizontal unbundling should not prevent the creation of synergies between TSOs and HNOs - All vertical unbundling models available for natural gas (e.g. ITO or ISO models) should be considered for hydrogen 2. Clarification is necessary regarding the proposed derogations for existing private hydrogen networks: - Vertically integrated undertakings should be able to keep the ownership of its existing hydrogen network until the end of the transition period (2030), even when it is being connected to another hydrogen network. 3. Proposed exemptions for geographically confined networks risk undermining the liquidity of the market and consumer choice: - The proposed vertical unbundling exemption should be limited in time and space, and should only be granted for new isolated lines for which no connection to the main interconnected hydrogen network is foreseen. 4. The provisions related to tariff discounts risk hampering the uptake of hydrogen rather than incentivizing it: - Fluxys is concerned about the added complexity when it comes to the implementation and negotiation of the compensations needed for the proposed discounts at interconnections points. We therefore believe that the promotion of low-carbon and renewable gases should be done by trading certificates rather than by implementing tariff discounts. - The existing dual model should be maintained as this provides clarity and certainty for the markets. Our detailed position paper can be found in attachment.
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Response to Revision of Alternative Fuels Infrastructure Directive

18 Nov 2021

Fluxys welcomes the opportunity provided by the Commission through this feedback period for stakeholders to provide views on the Commission’s adaption regarding Alternative Fuels Infrastructure Regulation (AFIR) back in the summer of 2021 with the aim of feeding into the legislative debate at the European Parliament and Council. On the level of AFIR, we have identified following key messages (please refer to enclosed annex for more details): 1. Important to keep a level playing field for the alternative fuels for transport in Europe: bio-LNG, bio-CNG, hydrogen and e-fuels (including low carbon fuels) will remain key elements for the decarbonisation of mobility and hence needs continued support on the level of alternative infrastructure development; 2. Transparency on available transport fuels needs to be increased in order to enable customers to make well-informed choices;
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Response to Review of Directive 2012/27/EU on energy efficiency

18 Nov 2021

Fluxys welcomes the opportunity provided by the Commission through this feedback period for stakeholders to provide views on the Commission’s adaption regarding Energy Efficiency Directive (EED) back in the summer of 2021 with the aim of feeding into the legislative debate at the European Parliament and Council. On the level of EED, we have identified following key messages (please refer to enclosed annex for more details): 1. Overall, there is a need to further clarify 'energy efficiency’: a holistic approach needs to be adopted considering the “overall” efficiency of the integrated energy system and promoting the most efficient solutions for climate neutrality across value chains; 2. Likewise in electricity, our gas infrastructure is “colour blind” meaning that the existing infrastructure can be retrofitted and/or repurposed for the transport and storage of decarbonised gases offering a cost efficient alternative compared to new build; 3. On the level of “avoidable network losses”, gas TSOs and DSOs are implementing the best cost-efficient measures and/or methods in accordance with the configuration of their specific grids;
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Response to Revision of the Energy Tax Directive

18 Nov 2021

Fluxys welcomes the opportunity provided by the Commission through this feedback period for stakeholders to provide views on the Commission’s adaption regarding Energy Taxation Directive (ETD) back in the summer of 2021 with the aim of feeding into the legislative debate at the European Parliament and Council. On the level of ETD, we have identified following key messages (please refer to enclosed annex for more details): 1. The implementation of the recast for ETD for gas transported via pipeline requires a tailored approach to make it feasible and aligned with the current practice; 2. In view of EU’s environmental ambitions, it is also crucial that electricity, RFNBOs and advanced sustainable biogases are maintained on a level playing field, not limited to levels of taxation but also in the application of tax exemptions; 3. Finally, we promote adding liquified gaseous gases (which includes bio-LNG) as well as hydrogen and e-fuels to the list of products not subjected to the control and movement provisions (EMCS);
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Response to Revision of the Renewable Energy Directive (EU) 2018/2001

18 Nov 2021

Fluxys welcomes the opportunity provided by the Commission through this feedback period for stakeholders to provide views on the Commission’s adaption regarding Renewable Energy Directive (RED) back in the summer of 2021 with the aim of feeding into the legislative debate at the European Parliament and Council. On the level of RED, we have identified following key messages (please refer to enclosed annex for more details): 1. Need for a robust system of Guarantees of Origin: a. RED II should aim to setup a market for the climate value of all renewable and low-carbon energy carriers; b. Such a certification system should be built on the basis of centralised Guarantees of Origin (GO) system; c. The scope of the GO system should be extended to low-carbon gases; d. GO and sustainability certification systems (via “Union Database”) should be integrated for all energy carriers; e. European interconnected gas system should be recognised as a ‘single logistical facility’ for the purpose of mass balance by consignment (including sustainability certification); 2. Sustainable character of renewable energy should be adequately verified a. GO should be recognised as the tool to prove renewable and low carbon origin of hydrogen for target compliance; b. The potential effects of the additionality criteria in European energy markets (as a whole) and on energy system integration should be duly analysed prior to their application;
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Response to Detailed implementing rules for the voluntary schemes recognised by the European Commission

26 Jul 2021

Fluxys is a fully independent gas infrastructure group headquartered in Belgium. Fluxys welcomes the European Commission Draft Act and thanks the Commission for the opportunity to participate in the Consultation. Accordingly, we would like to highlight the following aspects in the hope that these comments could be of help to the successful collaboration of the new Act to the Delivery of the Green Deal and the Energy Transition targets. Main Comments • We welcome the recognition within Art.19.2.d that fuels injected into a distribution infrastructure (such as the gas grid) are considered as part of the mix if the grid is interconnected, but (for the avoidance of any doubt) this should be extended to transport infrastructure, since some fuels are injected directly into the transport grid • The current formulation or Art.19.2.c-e prevents the virtual transfer of biofuel Guarantees of Origin (GO’s) in mass balance for identical molecules (bio-CNG and bio-LNG, for example) causing the need to haul (by truck, for example) the fuel to a point where an identical molecule was already available, generating emissions and wasting energy in the process. An electronic transaction would have sufficed to transfer the GO and Proof of Sustainability (PoS) instead. Mass balance needs to be enforced to keep track of the consignments nature and the GO/PoS disclosure, but this should not cause additional emissions via unnecessary transport needs • Art.20.3 (emission savings from CCS) should have all its conditions clarified further • Suppliers and traders of clean gas are not contemplated under the current formulation (economic operators definition in Art.2.10). The Draft Act seems to be more focused on bilateral trades between consumers and producers (depending on reading and interpretation). Enlargement of scope and processes clarification would be recommendable, keeping the focus on avoiding fragmentation of gas markets • For the C14 tests (Art.23.2) it is unclear when these should be used (Art.23.3 leaves this relatively open) and where (also at exit points for delivery and consumption?) -Please notice commercial flows should prevail on physical flows for attributing the renewable or clean nature as well as the associated GHG emissions. In this respect for gases one might ask if a C14 test is relevant • Introduction of an industry factor on gas losses (as proposed in Art.19.2.d) for the mass balance is questionable if only applied to one carrier (unrequired in RED-II). For a level playing field this should be applied to all carrier losses susceptible of causing emissions • Interaction between GO and PoS certification schemes is unclear knowing that strictly speaking a GO is following Art.19 of RED-II (a book and claim tool), while for Biofuels as well as for MRR ETS purposes the PoS is mandatory and uses a mass balance approach. These concept must be further clarified in order not to undermine the credibility of both and to facilitate a good functioning market. General Recommendations • Apply mass balance to the GO’s of all energy carriers accompanied by a PoS, this is necessary to achieve a level-playing field for all the energy carriers in the market • Recognise the status of the pan-European gas infrastructure as a single logistical facility to better implement mass balance by consignment, avoiding unnecessary hauls for equal molecules • Clarify definitions, processes and methods further, with particular attention to all business modalities: to ensure efficiency and competition for sustainable carriers • Facilitate data reporting and administrative flows to the maximum extent possible • Avoid gas markets fragmentation, and create the framework for liquid markets avoiding regulatory burdens • Align European Directives to the purpose of realizing the Green Deal, guaranteeing coherence and minimising potential space for ambiguity in interpretations to facilitate transposal into National legislation. Feedback also in PDF (2 Pag)
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Response to Revision of EU rules on Gas

10 Mar 2021

Fluxys welcomes the opportunity provided by the Commission to consult stakeholders’ views to complement the Commission’s work on an Inception Impact Assessment for a Hydrogen and Gas markets Decarbonisation Package. As stated in the Inception Impact Assessment document, in line with the Green Deal Strategy, energy markets will need to transform to enable moving towards a net zero target and ensure that these objectives can be realised in a non-disruptive and cost-effective manner. Similar to electrons, such decarbonisation will be equally important for the gas sector in order duly address the upcoming challenges (e.g. building on the realisations and lessons learned from the molecules) and grasp the opportunities (preserving the synergies between gas and hydrogen networks while improving the overall Energy System Integration as electrons and molecules will have to complement each other based on the principle of technology-neutrality/level playing field). Overall, considering the synergies between natural gas and hydrogen and based on our experience from natural gas, we are favouring a close integration of hydrogen into the framework of the existing gas framework to foster a liquid/competitive H2 market, a cost-efficient and timely energy transition, cross-border interoperability, and coordinated infrastructure planning. Apart from the need to have clear definitions, we have identified the “critical success factors” (see attached) for the review of the legislative framework to design a competitive decarbonised gas markets as a means to facilitate our contribution to the overall energy system decarbonisation. Furthermore, to achieve this, all technologies should be considered (both low-carbon and renewable gases as well as CCS/U technology).
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Response to Climate change mitigation and adaptation taxonomy

18 Dec 2020

Fluxys reply to EC public consultation: Draft delegated Act on Taxonomy – climate change mitigation and climate change adaptation Annex 1 : chapter 4.14 : Transmission and distribution of renewable and low-carbon gases: We welcome the inclusion of transmission and distribution of the renewable and low-carbon gases among the sustainable activities, also considering the investments necessary to reduce methane emissions in existing gas pipes (e.g. LDAR). However, in order to avoid possible confusion on the use of the words “renewable and low-carbon gases”, being contrary to the title of section 4.14, the descriptive part systematically uses the formula “hydrogen or other low-carbon gases”, which could be misinterpreted (hydrogen as low-carbon gas), we recommend to replace “hydrogen or other low-carbon gases” by “renewable and low-carbon gases”, thus including other forms of renewable gases such as biomethane. Biomethane is an important sustainable substitute of fossil gas, with an important role to play in the circular economy. Retrofitting and conversion of current gas storage and LNG terminal infrastructures for renewable and low-carbon gases: We propose to include the retrofitting and conversion of current gas storage infrastructures for renewable and low-carbon gases as taxonomy eligible. Indeed, storage of renewable and low-carbon gases will be essential to the energy system as a whole to provide the needed flexibility at an affordable cost. Retrofitting and conversion of LNG-terminal for renewable and low-carbon gases have also to be considered as sustainable. Indeed, providing bio-LNG for mobility will support to reduce significantly the emission in transport. LNG-terminal could finally play a role in the import of renewable gases. Annex 1 : chapter 5.11 : Transport of CO2: We welcome the inclusion of transport of CO2 among the sustainable activities. We understand the concern in the technical screening criteria « Substantial contribution to climate change mitigation » that this activity must be linked to a permanent CO2 storage site that meets the criteria for underground geological storage of CO2 set out in Section 5.11 of this Annex; or to other transport modalities, which lead directly to permanent CO2 storage site that meet those criteria. However, the transport manager of CO2 will often not have direct contact with the manager of the permanent CO2 storage site, the latter being responsible for meeting the above criteria. We recommend specifying at this level that the transport manager ensures to the best of his knowledge that the entire chain is managed on the basis of the recommended criteria. ____ About Fluxys Headquartered in Belgium, Fluxys is a fully independent gas infrastructure group with 1,200 employees active in gas transmission & storage and liquefied natural gas terminalling. Through its associated companies across Europe Fluxys operates 9,000 kilometers of pipeline and liquefied natural gas terminals totalling a yearly regasification capacity of 29 billion cubic meters. Among Fluxys’ subsidiaries is Euronext listed Fluxys Belgium, owner and operator of the infrastructure for gas transmission & storage and liquefied natural gas terminalling in Belgium. As a purpose-led company Fluxys together with its stakeholders contributes to a better society by shaping a bright energy future. Building on the unique assets of gas infrastructure and its commercial and technical expertise, Fluxys is committed to accommodate hydrogen, biomethane or any other carbon-neutral energy carrier of the future.
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Response to Revision of the Renewable Energy Directive (EU) 2018/2001

21 Sept 2020

The recently released European Commission’s Hydrogen and Energy System Integration strategies have confirmed the essential role of renewable and low-carbon gases in reaching a climate-neutral Europe by 2050. To speed-up such transition, an appropriate regulatory framework is required. The revision of the Renewable Energy Directive (RED II) provides an excellent opportunity “to translate into legal measures the actions proposed in other energy strategies of the European Green Deal’. As such, we fully support the proposals (i) to “promote further development and use of renewable and other low-carbon fuels” and (ii) to “establish a comprehensive terminology and robust certification system including associated GHG and sustainability criteria, based on a robust life-cycle approach and traceability system”. To facilitate the uptake and to create the right conditions for an EU-wide market for renewable and low-carbon gases, the revision of REDII should consider the following amendments: 1. The introduction of a common European terminology / clear definition for renewable and low-carbon gases. This would increase consumers’ knowledge and awareness on the different types of fuels and enable them to make a well-informed choice depending on their individual decarbonization needs and preferences. 2. The introduction of the obligation for Member States to issue GOs for all types of decarbonized and low-carbon gases. Currently, delivering GOs for energy from non-renewable sources is still optional for Member States. In line with the EC’s recognition in the EU Hydrogen strategy of the need and benefits low-carbon hydrogen will bring in a transitional phase, it should become an obligation for Member States in order to facilitate the uptake for decarbonized and low-carbon gases and ensuring a level playing field with renewable gases. 3. The development of an EU-wide credible certification system based on Guarantees or Origin (GOs) including associated GHG and sustainability criteria. as discussed within the framework of the revision of the Monitoring and Reporting Regulation, the indication of GHG and sustainability information into all types of GOs could offer EU ETS operators an additional efficient instrument to cover their emissions limits and obligations. The GO system is an effective EU- wide instrument offering market participants with trustworthy information and hence provides a good basis to consolidate/integrate any information relating to GHG emissions/savings and sustainability into the GO. 4. A single market for Guarantees of Origin for gas. For gas consumers to become green and reduce their emissions, it is preferable to keep to a single GO for gasses including hydrogen. Keeping one GO for gasses with a specific attribute allowing to differentiate between the gas carriers, will avoid fragmentation of the gas market and hence will maximize interchangeability/ tradability for the new gases. 5. The introduction of a set of technology-neutral, national binding targets for renewable and low-carbon gases. Such targets will incentivise Member States to develop clear pathways for the shift from unabated natural gas to renewable and low-carbon gases while improving investor confidence at the same time.
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Meeting with Daniel Mes (Cabinet of Executive Vice-President Frans Timmermans), Diederik Samsom (Cabinet of Executive Vice-President Frans Timmermans)

14 Jul 2020 · Hydrogen, European Green Deal, Climateneutral and Smart Cities

Response to A EU hydrogen strategy

8 Jun 2020

As a purpose-led company Fluxys together with all its stakeholders contributes to a better society by shaping a sustainable “bright energy future”. Building on the unique assets of gas infrastructure and its commercial and technical expertise, Fluxys is committed to accommodate, biomethane, hydrogen or any other carbon-neutral energy carrier of the future. Fluxys shares the EU’s climate neutrality objective by 2050. Hydrogen has an important role to play in the mix of solutions to achieve this objective. Hydrogen is an important carrier for renewable energy to be used for electricity and heat production, for mobility, for fuel production and as a raw material for industrial production. We kindly ask for consideration of the following requests and clarifications : • Likewise in electricity, the transition for gas towards “green” will happen gradually. Next to biomethane, hydrogen will become a new energy carrier. To kick-start the transition towards a clean hydrogen economy “now”, there will be an essential role for “low-carbon” hydrogen produced from natural gas combined with carbon capture and storage, next to green hydrogen based on renewable electricity’. • Hence, support for new gases should also include low-carbon gases (such as blue hydrogen) as they will facilitate decarbonisation awaiting the renewable hydrogen production to scale-up (as such there is also no “lock-in” effect). • Gas infrastructure operators are well placed to ensure that hydrogen infrastructure is accessible to all and operated in a transparent and non discriminatory way. Moreover, retrofitting part of the current gas network will contribute to an affordable and speedy transition. Hence, a global approach for hydrogen is needed for the future on the level of investment planning going beyond the existing point-to-point pipelines within industrial clusters. Integrated coordination, planning and Interoperability is needed. Security of supply has to be guaranteed and needs interconnections. Natural gas model is working well therefore the objective is to mirror the proven natural gas model. • Similar to the electricity grid for “electrons”, the gas infrastructure for “molecules” requires (i) an adequate regulatory framework supporting the uptake of new gases (including needs for sector coupling / rules on connecting electrolysers to the grids) as well as (ii) continued support for “future proof” investments (both new and repurposing) in order to enable gas infrastructure operators (TSOs, SSOs, and LSOs) to facilitate the energy transition. Critical infrastructure requires a form of regulation/legal framework. Fluxys considers that an open-access pipeline network for hydrogen is a necessary step to make CO2-free hydrogen structurally available in the most economical and efficient manner. Such a network will form a 'hydrogen backbone' connecting both the future international market and local clusters. The Fluxys preference is for a phased approach aimed at developing a structured pipeline network in tandem with the development of upstream and downstream activities. The first phase involves connecting up Belgium's principal industrial clusters, more specifically the main port regions being Zeebrugge, North Sea Port (Ghent) and Antwerp, as well as industry located around the cities of Charleroi and Liège. Interconnections with the Netherlands, France and Germany are also planned, complementing these countries' visions for a hydrogen network. Efforts will be made to optimally reuse existing pipelines and to reuse the import (terminals) and storage facilities in order to keep system costs as low as possible.
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Response to Climate change mitigation and adaptation taxonomy

25 Apr 2020

Fluxys shares the EU’s climate neutrality objective by 2050. We welcome the European Commission’s efforts to mobilise the financial sector towards a prosperous and sustainable Europe and are committed to fulfil the European Union objectives whilst guaranteeing the supply of affordable energy for all citizens. The taxonomy, cornerstone of the EU sustainable finance, will have a wide-ranging impact on the European energy sector and will be key for a successful European energy transition. Therefore, when drafting the respective delegated acts, it is crucial to carefully consider all potentially sustainable activities and avoid legal uncertainty in order to steer investments in these sectors. The screening criteria for economic activities must be based on technology neutrality with the aim not to prevent further future technological developments contributing to a decarbonization of the European energy sector and industry. Fluxys shares the view of the European Commission that hydrogen will play a key role in the EU Green Deal, in particular in decarbonising sectors difficult to decarbonise with electricity. We kindly ask for consideration of the following requests and clarifications. Fluxys wants to contribute to the development of green hydrogen with project such as Hyoffwind. This project would launch green hydrogen production at industrial scale and will therefore be one of the first opportunities to deliver green hydrogen for mobility, industry and to inject it into the gas grid. Fluxys would like to suggest the inclusion of the following as sustainable activities: • The transmission, distribution and storage infrastructures fit to transport and store hydrogen, biomethane and other decarbonised gases. Such categorisation has been defined by the TEG for the transmission and distribution of electrons and should also be defined for molecules and the corresponding mitigation criteria. • The operation and where necessary construction of new infrastructure that connects production facilities of renewable/low carbon gases to the existing gas infrastructure as well dedicated infrastructure for hydrogen. This will foster the transition from natural gas to renewable and low carbon gases. TEG report excludes any gas network construction and expansion independent of the transported gas and its CO2-content, while including the manufacture of hydrogen and biomethane for example. • The retrofitting and upgrading of current gas infrastructures for renewable and low carbon gases to enhance investor confidence and lower costs of the energy transition. Gas transmission and storage infrastructure are able to provide the necessary flexibility to the market at an affordable price. • The operation and construction of LNG applications for maritime and heavy-duty transport. The transport of goods will be the result of the most efficient combination between shipping, road and railway. Already today, LNG is the universally clean, sustainable, affordable, available and flexible solution to decarbonize this multimodal system. These LNG applications are already fit for bio-LNG, Liquefied synthetic methane, … and will contribute to the decarbonisation of transport sector.
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Response to European standards for alternative fuels infrastructure for L vehicles, shore-side electricity for inland navigation ves

11 Apr 2019

Fluxys is favourable to the proposed amendment on the directive « European standard for Alternative Fuels Infrastructure » as it will facilitate the development of CNG and LNG as a fuel through an harmonization of the gas quality requirements. However, we would like to draw your attention to the fact that the current version of the standard EN-16723-2 limits the amount of hydrogen in the CNG to a maximum value of 2%. While this limit may be acceptable for the moment, we consider that hydrogen-natural gas blends are likely to play a major role in the future in the way to a decarbonized economy, and as such, we would like to emphasize the need to review the 2% limits accordingly in future revisions of the standard EN-16723-2.
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Meeting with Miguel Arias Cañete (Commissioner) and Snam S.p.A. and Enagás S.A.

30 Jan 2018 · Trans-Adriatic Pipeline

Meeting with Maroš Šefčovič (Vice-President) and

27 Apr 2017 · State of play TAP