News

Five hydrogen supply corridors

To deliver the accelerated 2030 hydrogen demand & supply targets set by the REPowerEU plan, five large-scale pipeline corridors are envisaged. These corridors will play a key role as cost-efficient solution to large volumes of low-cost hydrogen supply to demand centers. 

• The corridors will initially connect domestic local supply and demand in Europe, before expanding & connecting European regions and neighbouring countries with low-cost hydrogen export potential.
• Pipeline transport offers a cost-efficient solution to connect areas of large amounts of hydrogen excess supply with regions with hydrogen demand, especially when including repurposing of existing gas infrastructure
• The five corridors span across both domestic and import supply markets, consistent with the three import corridors identified by the REPowerEU plan
• Certainty about the deployment of a European Hydrogen Backbone infrastructure will enable market actors to develop supply and demand more rapidly in a cost-efficient manner

The corridor analysis has identified sufficient hydrogen supply to exceed the European 2030 domestic supply targets, contributing to European energy independence and security of supply. 

• EHB has identified 12 Mt (~400 TWh) of potential EU hydrogen supply, exceeding the domestic, REPowerEU target of 10 Mt of green hydrogen by 2030. In addition, hydrogen import potentials have been identified.
• EHB also identified a large share of EU hydrogen demand to meet the 2030 target, with an expectation for demand to accelerate further following the REPowerEU publication.
• Both hydrogen supply and demand will substantially increase towards 2040.

To ensure the development of these supply corridors by 2030, speed is of essence and action is needed now. Five key concrete actions: 

• Foster development of new and repurposed hydrogen infrastructure
• Unlock financing to fast-track hydrogen infrastructure deployment 
• Simplify and shorten planning and permitting procedures 
• Intensify energy partnerships with exporting, non-EHB countries 
• Establish integrated energy system planning 

An open initiative

The EHB aims to accelerate Europe’s decarbonisation journey by defining the critical role of hydrogen infrastructure – based on existing and new pipelines – in enabling the development of a competitive, liquid, pan-European renewable and low-carbon hydrogen market. By 2040 this could include a majority 60% repurposed pipelines and 40% new. The initiative seeks to foster market competition, security of supply, and cross-border collaboration between European countries and their neighbours.

The EHB initiative is looking forward to continuing to discuss its vision with stakeholders including policy makers, companies, and initiatives along the hydrogen value chain.

Website European Hydrogen Backbone