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Hydrogen for Europe's future: ambitious projects on the road to realisation
SoutH2 Corridor
The “SoutH2 Corridor” is a 3,300 km long dedicated hydrogen pipeline corridor connecting North Africa, Italy, Austria, and Germany. It is led by the transmission system operators Snam, TAG, GCA, and bayernets.
On April 8, 2024, all projects of the involved transmission system operators (TSOs) were included in the first list of Projects of Common Interest (PCI) under the revised TEN-E Regulation, published by the European Commission. The SoutH2 Corridor aims to transport low-cost renewable hydrogen produced in North Africa to European demand centers.
The project enjoys political support from five countries as well as strong backing from companies involved in hydrogen production and off-take along the entire corridor.
Information Box:
A PCI project (Project of Common Interest) is an energy infrastructure initiative recognized as crucial for energy supply and security within the European Union. These projects are identified and supported under Regulation (EU) No. 347/2013 of the European Parliament and the Council. The regulation provides guidelines for trans-European energy infrastructure with the goal of enhancing energy market integration, improving supply security, and increasing the adoption of renewable energy sources.
PCI projects receive priority in approval procedures and may be eligible for EU financial support to accelerate their implementation.
The PCI list is updated every two years. By participating in the European Commission's current PCI consultation, you can support the projects of the Austrian transmission system operators Gas Connect Austria and TAG GmbH. These projects, which are important for the implementation of the H2 Roadmap for Austria and the Southern H2 Corriodor, must make it onto the PCI list again this time! Here is the link to the consultation, which runs until April 25, 2025: https://ec.europa.eu/eusurvey/runner/PCI-PMI-2025-H2 |
Technical Key Points
- Length: 3,300 km of dedicated hydrogen pipeline.
- Repurposed Infrastructure: Over 65% of pipelines will be repurposed, offering a cost-efficient transport solution.
- Import Capacity: More than 4 million tons of green hydrogen per year (Mtpa) from North Africa by 2030 (~130 TWh).
- Energy Supply: Aims to meet over 40% of the REPowerEU import target for hydrogen.
- Connections: Links key European demand centers in Italy, Austria, and Germany.
Key Facts
- PCI Status: All TSO projects were included in the first PCI list on April 8, 2024.
- Political Support: Backed by five countries and multiple companies along the corridor.
- Part of the European Hydrogen Backbone: A crucial component in developing a connected and diversified European hydrogen network.
Timeline
- April 2024: Inclusion in the first PCI list under the revised TEN-E Regulation.
- 2030: Planned full operation of the SoutH2 Corridor, enabling the transport of green hydrogen from North Africa to Central Europe.
The SoutH2 Corridor is a key pillar in securing Europe’s energy supply and plays a vital role in achieving European and national climate targets.
HI2 – Hydrogen Industrial Inland Valley Austria
The HI2 Valley is a cross-state project aimed at developing a hydrogen valley in the three Austrian federal states of Upper Austria, Styria, and Carinthia. With a total of 17 projects and 32 Austrian companies, the project covers the entire hydrogen value chain – from production to storage and transport to end use. Key milestones include the construction of 101 MW of new electrolysis plants and the production of 10,000 tons of green hydrogen per year. This project will involve investments totaling €588 million by 2030, funded by the Clean Hydrogen Partnership, its members, and partially by the European Union.
https://www.linkedin.com/company/hi2-valley/
EUH2STARS – European Underground Hydrogen Storage R
EUH2Stars is a European project to convert existing underground natural gas reservoirs for hydrogen storage. The aim is to demonstrate competitive underground hydrogen storage (UHS) in depleted porous reservoirs at TRL 8 by the end of the decade. The project was initiated by RAG Austria AG. In its work package, AGGM is developing a concept for integrating the storage facility into the national and European hydrogen grid (EHB).
https://www.euh2stars.eu/en/
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