Hydrogen Production from Offshore Wind and Hydrogen Infrastructure Development in Europe

摘要

Offshore wind is positioned as one of the key energy supply sources in Europe’s energy and environment strategy. According to the International Energy Agency, offshore wind power is expected to account for one-fifth of electricity supply in the European Union in 2040 (Sustainable Development Scenario). Furthermore, the power generation cost of offshore wind has declined in line with the capacity expansion of wind power. Recent auctions have indicated that successful bid prices are now below $0.05/kWh (operation starts beyond 2025). Meanwhile, as a means to make best use of offshore wind resources, power transmission infrastructure development plays an important role. But hydrogen production is attracting attention in Europe as well for the same reason. The United Kingdom, Germany, the Netherlands and other North Sea countries have already started their efforts to promote hydrogen production with electricity from offshore wind. As for hydrogen transportation, which is another important issue to be considered in the hydrogen strategy, some European countries are planning to increase hydrogen blending ratios for gas pipelines as a short-term measure. They also have a plan to modify existing gas pipelines into those dedicated for hydrogen as a long-term strategy. In Japan, offshore wind power generation projects were promoted after the enactment of the “Act of Promoting Utilization of Sea Areas in Development of Power Generation Facilities Using Maritime Renewable Energy Resources.” However, constraints in grid connection capacity and the high cost of grid connection for offshore wind power are identified as the key problems for further development of offshore wind. In this regard, European experiences may suggest that hydrogen production with offshore wind power will be an option to avoid the grid interconnection constraints. To achieve an 80% cut in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 2050, Japan will have to low-carbonize the gas sector. It is necessary to accelerate policy discussion on how to transform the existing gas infrastructure to accommodate low-carbon gases including hydrogen.