In an interview with the Francophone public broadcaster RTBF, the Federal Climate Minister Jean-Luc Crucke (Francophone centrist) said that “Belgium may have white gold under its feet.” During Friday morning’s radio interview Mr Crucke added that if hydrogen were to be discovered it would be a “gamechanger”.
A hydrogen bubble discovered 3 years ago was trapped earlier this week, near to the French city of Metz. The bubble is possibly the largest natural hydrogen reservoir in the world. Given the size of the bubble and the proximity (around 50km) of Metz to the border with Belgium the bubble is thought extend into Belgium as well as into Luxembourg and Germany. Hydrogen is an energy carrier, so the discovery could be significant in the transition to green energy.
The Federal Government is now considering whether to investigate the possible presence of hydrogen in Belgium. The operation would take up to three years and cost around 3.5 million euros. This would be financed by funds from the European Innovation Fund ETS.
Mr Crucke told RTBF that “The French have a head start. We have no time to lose. There is an opportunity up for grabs, we must seize it.”
Like oil and gas, white hydrogen occurs naturally occurring and is generated by continuous geochemical reactions in hard rock.