European Hydrogen Regulatory Forum 2026: Why it Matters for Latvia and the Baltic Hydrogen Market
The first European Hydrogen Regulatory Forum will bring together EU regulators, policymakers and industry to address the implementation of Europe’s hydrogen regulatory framework. The discussions on RED III hydrogen rules, RFNBO regulation and hydrogen market design will have direct implications for Latvia and the Baltic hydrogen ecosystem.
EVENTS
HydrogenLatvia
3/13/20263 min read
Europe launches a new platform for hydrogen regulation
On 19–20 March 2026, the European Commission will host the inaugural European Hydrogen Regulatory Forum in Rotterdam. Organised by DG Energy and hosted by the Dutch Ministry of Climate Policy and Green Growth together with the Dutch energy regulator, the forum establishes a new high-level platform dedicated to hydrogen regulation in Europe.
The event brings together EU Member States, national regulators, hydrogen industry associations and selected companies across the hydrogen value chain to discuss the practical implementation of the EU hydrogen regulatory framework.
For the European hydrogen sector, regulatory clarity is increasingly becoming the key factor determining whether hydrogen projects reach investment stage. As hydrogen moves from strategy to deployment, the focus is shifting toward how EU hydrogen legislation is implemented across national markets.
For countries such as Latvia and the wider Baltic region, these discussions will influence the regulatory environment shaping future hydrogen investments.
Key EU hydrogen regulatory issues under discussion
The forum agenda reflects the growing complexity of Europe’s hydrogen policy landscape. Several regulatory issues central to the development of the European hydrogen market will be discussed.
Implementation of RED III hydrogen rules
One of the main themes will be the implementation of the Renewable Energy Directive (RED III) and its hydrogen targets.
RED III establishes binding targets for renewable fuels of non-biological origin (RFNBOs) in sectors such as transport and industry. Member States must now translate these targets into national legislation and regulatory frameworks.
For Latvia, the implementation of RED III hydrogen requirements will influence future demand for renewable hydrogen in transport, maritime and industrial sectors.
RFNBO delegated acts and hydrogen certification
Another important topic concerns the RFNBO delegated acts, which define the methodology for determining whether hydrogen qualifies as renewable.
These rules cover:
Additionality requirements for renewable electricity
Temporal and geographical correlation between electricity generation and hydrogen production
Lifecycle greenhouse gas accounting
These regulatory conditions directly affect the bankability of hydrogen projects in Europe, particularly in smaller emerging hydrogen markets such as the Baltic states.
Scaling hydrogen supply and demand in Europe
The forum will also address the challenge of simultaneously scaling hydrogen production and hydrogen demand across Europe.
The EU hydrogen strategy targets the deployment of large-scale renewable hydrogen production, but this must be matched by demand in sectors such as:
heavy industry
maritime transport
aviation fuels
energy storage
synthetic fuels (PtX)
The discussions will therefore focus on market mechanisms and regulatory incentives needed to accelerate the European hydrogen economy.
Industry perspective on hydrogen regulation
The European hydrogen industry will be represented by Hydrogen Europe, which will participate in several sessions addressing regulatory and market barriers.
Hydrogen Europe will present insights based on recent policy analyses and position papers addressing:
implementation guidance for RED III hydrogen targets
regulatory impacts of the RFNBO delegated acts
greenhouse-gas accounting for hydrogen and low-carbon fuels
the role of hydrogen in strengthening Europe’s energy security
These discussions reflect the increasing importance of regulatory alignment between industry and policymakers in shaping the future hydrogen market.
Policy dialogue among EU Member States
Alongside the official forum sessions, targeted discussions among Member States will focus on practical regulatory implementation.
Among the side events organised around the forum are:
Member State exchange on RED III hydrogen implementation
A closed-door policy discussion will bring together representatives from several EU countries to discuss the national implementation of hydrogen targets and possible adjustments to the RFNBO delegated acts.
Hydrogen sector networking event
An informal gathering organised together with several hydrogen and gas infrastructure associations will allow regulators, industry and infrastructure operators to exchange perspectives on the development of the European hydrogen market.
These smaller policy exchanges often play a decisive role in aligning regulatory interpretation across the EU.
Why Latvian regulators should follow these discussions closely
For Latvia, the emergence of the European Hydrogen Regulatory Forum represents an important development in the governance of the European hydrogen economy.
As hydrogen policy evolves from strategy to regulation, the decisions discussed at the forum will shape the future regulatory framework for hydrogen projects in Latvia and the Baltic region.
Participation and engagement from Latvian institutions – including regulators, ministries and energy system operators – could provide several advantages.
Early insight into EU hydrogen regulation
The forum provides direct access to discussions on how EU hydrogen legislation is interpreted and implemented across Member States.
Positioning Latvia within the Baltic hydrogen market
Regulatory discussions will influence the development of Baltic hydrogen infrastructure and cross-border hydrogen trade.
Strengthening Latvia’s hydrogen policy development
Engagement in EU regulatory discussions can help ensure that Latvia’s national hydrogen policy evolves in line with European market developments.
Supporting future hydrogen investments
Clear regulatory frameworks remain one of the most important factors for attracting investment into hydrogen production, hydrogen infrastructure and PtX technologies.
A critical moment for the European hydrogen economy
The creation of the European Hydrogen Regulatory Forum reflects the next phase of hydrogen policy development in Europe.
While the past decade focused on hydrogen strategies and funding programmes, the coming years will be defined by regulatory implementation, market design and infrastructure development.
For emerging hydrogen markets such as Latvia and the Baltic region, staying connected to these regulatory discussions will be essential to ensure that national hydrogen projects align with the evolving European hydrogen regulatory framework.