Timmermans says exiting coal will require gas infrastructure

Tuesday, November 16 2021

General – EU

European Union climate chief Frans Timmermans gave the clearest signal yet that the bloc is considering a role for natural gas under its green rulebook for investments, setting up a clash with some national governments.

Timmermans said that an exit from coal for some member states, like Poland, would require an ‘intermediary stage’ using natural gas. It would be subject to strict conditions, including pre-fitting pipelines so that they can carry hydrogen and de-carbonized gases after the transition from natural gas ends.

“We will have to also invest in natural gas infrastructure,” Timmermans said in a press conference at the COP26 climate conference last week in Glasgow, Scotland. “As long as we do it with an eye of only doing this for a period, then I think this is a justified investment.”