Belgium is positioning itself as a key European import and transit hub for renewable hydrogen and derivatives such as ammonia. Its competitive advantages include:
20 terrawatt hours (TWh) by 2030 and 200-350 TWh by 2050: Belgium’s targets for imports of renewable hydrogen and derivatives to meet domestic and neighbouring countries’ demand.
The world’s 2nd largest petrochemical cluster is located in Belgium.
The Port of Antwerp-Bruges is a driving force behind the development of Belgium’s hydrogen ecosystem.
The world’s first hydrogen law was introduced by Belgium in 2023 to regulate the transport of hydrogen by pipeline.
Belgium faces significant decarbonization challenges due to its dense population, large industrial and agricultural base, and limited access to renewable energy resources. In the past, green hydrogen was seen as the solution to climate problems. The current Belgian government’s approach to energy involves a diverse energy mix with a baseload through nuclear energy and renewable energies, including green hydrogen.
Belgium should be viewed as a strategic gateway into the North-West European hydrogen economy, rather than just a national hydrogen market. The country's strongest assets are its:
Opportunities exist in the market, but Belgium is not yet a mature market for hydrogen due to the lack of development in the global hydrogen market.
For more information on the Belgian hydrogen sector, please contact bru@international.gc.ca.
