A large-scale project focusing on the development of hydrogen and fuel cell technologies has been announced by the European Commission.

The Commission's energy and transport director general has called for proposals for a hydrogen technology initiative to be submitted as part of the first stage of the plan.

Early market maturity in Europe is the stated aim of the project, which will initially involve a conceptual study for the development of hydrogen technologies.

The proposal should ideally prepare the hydrogen sector for a broad market opening, provide a long and stable time frame and integrate key technologies.

It should also engage the major European actors in the fields.

Finally, the necessary resources should be made available from both the private and the public sector, incorporating regional as well as local institutions.