Fuel Cells and Hydrogen top Europe’s Innovation Investment Package

On the 10th July 2013, FCH JU welcomed the European Commission’s proposal to renew and strengthen the Joint Undertaking. As part of the package(€ 22 billion) to be invested in innovation for sectors that deliver high quality jobs, this strengthening plan, built upon the success of the first generation of the programme from 2008-2013, aim to boost even more the competitiveness of EU industry.   Some 150 projects and over 430 industry and research organisations have won support under the annual, competitive calls for proposals issued by the current programme of FCH JU.

The proposal for a Council Regulation on the Fuel Cells and Hydrogen Joint Undertaking 2 creates the basis for a renewed public-private partnership aimed at expanding the use of clean and efficient technologies in transport, industry and energy.

Objectives are to step up activities and to move the sector forward with a budget of 1.4 billion euros until 2020, equally shared by the European private sector and European Union.

Pierre-Etienne Franc, Chairman of the Board of NEW-IG said, “We believe that a robust European programme for Fuel Cells and Hydrogen is the right tool to coordinate objectives, pool resources and advance the technology for the benefit of the European economy. This renewed political and financial support is a sign that Europe will strive to establish this technology as a key enabler for its future energy and transport roadmap. Joint priority setting and a long term perspective are key to enabling private investment in such complex, societal challenges.”

Màire Geoghegan-Quinn, European Commissioner for Research, Innovation and Science, added: "Thanks to the current Fuel Cells and Hydrogen partnership, you can take a ride on hydrogen-powered pollution-free buses in five cities across Europe. But much research and development is still needed to make this application of FCH technology widespread and those for clean energy production and storage commercially attractive. The EU and industry will continue to work together under this new initiative to help reduce the carbon footprint of our energy and transport sectors."

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