Brussels, 7 November 2024
Today, the European Clean Hydrogen Alliance published its ‘Learnbook on Implementation of Hydrogen Supply Corridors’, which describes how the six identified hydrogen supply corridors will be created by 2030 through projects, most of which are already in the 1st PCI/PMI list published, based on the revised TEN-E Regulation (Regulation (EU) 2022/869). The report also includes a description of the technical characteristics and interconnections of each corridor, as well as the potential contribution they offer to the development of the EU hydrogen economy. Specific barriers to the further development of these corridors are also assessed.
The projects included in this Learnbook showcase the enabling role of hydrogen infrastructure for hydrogen industrial usage, supporting wider industry decarbonisation. An early deployment and expansion of a hydrogen infrastructure will reduce the risk of not reaching the EU ambitious targets, while supporting the economics of reducing emissions from industries of all sizes. It can also support flexibility and energy storage availability throughout the entire future energy system.
RePowerEU calls for the diversification of supply sources to minimise Russian gas imports and to replace natural gas with renewable and low carbon molecules – therefore, the EU requires hydrogen supply corridors. Creating an integrated hydrogen network is the most efficient way for Europe to connect import points (for onshore and offshore pipelines), import terminals (for hydrogen and its derivatives), storage sites, and clean hydrogen production with the industrial demand areas and distribution clusters, including for instance industrial clusters, ports and hydrogen Valleys. In parallel, the hydrogen corridors enable source diversification to maintain energy affordability, security, and independence.
A pan-European hydrogen infrastructure supports the scale-up of renewable energy and bolsters security of supply, with connections between supply and demand regions (in particular, Germany) directly contributing significant savings compared to a fragmented, isolated clusters’ development approach. However, improvements with respect to a supportive regulatory framework, enhanced value chain cooperation and clear mechanisms for financing the hydrogen infrastructure are needed. This Learnbook builds on the first assessment of the corridors which was published in April 2023 – the Learnbook on Hydrogen Supply Corridors.
Piotr Kuś, ENTSOG General Director, comments,:
Each one of the corridors has its individual and unique characteristics, contributing to the achievement of the RePowerEU targets, as all routes will be necessary for addressing the expected EU demand. We are honoured to act as a facilitator of the ECH2A Transmission and Distribution Roundtable, which created this Learnbook. This report includes a variety of perspectives and opinions from industry, academia and NGOs – their contributions add great value to the report content.
DESFA acted as co-chair to one of the Task Forces of the Transmission and Distribution Roundtable. Maria Rita Galli, DESFA Chief Executive Officer, states, “An integrated hydrogen network, interconnecting imports, production, storage and consumers, which uses repurposed assets in the most efficient way, is a viable solution for the gradual replacement of fossil fuels with decarbonized and low-carbon gases. As a company, we are glad to be an active contributor to the deliverables of this ECH2A Roundtable.”
The Learnbook on Implementation of Hydrogen Supply Corridors is a product of the Transmission and Distribution Roundtable of the European Clean Hydrogen Alliance and is available on the website of Directorate-General for Internal Market, Industry, Entrepreneurship and SMEs here listed under ‘Timeline’, and on the ENTSOG website, here.
The Learnbook is the fourth report in a series from the Transmission and Distribution Roundtable. The first Learnbook focused on Hydrogen Supply Corridors, the second on Hydrogen Imports to the EU, and the third on Financing of Hydrogen Infrastructure.
Notes
The European Clean Hydrogen Alliance was set up in July 2020 to support the large-scale deployment of clean hydrogen technologies by 2030. It brings together renewable and low-carbon hydrogen production, demand in industry, mobility and other sectors, and hydrogen transmission and distribution. Its members come from industry, public authorities, civil society, and other stakeholders. More information is available on the ECHA website.
The European Network of Transmission System Operators for Gas (ENTSOG) was founded in 2009 and has played a key role in facilitating integration of the European gas markets, ensuring technical interoperability and providing security of supply by gas infrastructure planning. Within the scope of Regulation (EU) 2024/1789 and other relevant legislation, ENTSOG is contributing to the net-zero decarbonisation by 2050 by the integration of renewable and low carbon gases via future-proof gas transmission pipelines, in line with the EU energy and climate goals. More information on ENTSOG can be found on our website www.entsog.eu or contact info@entsog.eu.
DESFA, the Hellenic Gas Transmission System Operator, is responsible for the operation, management, utilization and development of the Greek National Natural Gas System and its interconnections, in a technically sound and economically efficient way, in order to best serve its Users with safety, reliability and adequacy. DESFA is committed to support the fulfilment of the National Energy & Climate Plans targets, by planning its energy transition towards the decarbonized economy. More information is available on the website.
Source – ENTSOG (by email)