Press releases
16.12.2022
Six partners have signed a cooperation agreement to develop Nordic-Baltic Hydrogen Corridor
The EU member states are currently in the process of dynamic changes related to the energy transformation and the decarbonisation of the European economy. Hydrogen is expected to be one of the key fuels in the EU's energy transformation. Now, the gas transmission systems operators (TSOs) are moving in good collaboration from European Hydrogen Backbone (EHB) vision to action. On December 14, 2022 TSOs from six EU countries signed a cooperation agreement on a cross border project, Nordic-Baltic Hydrogen Corridor.
The European TSOs Gasgrid Finland (Finland), Elering (Estonia), Conexus Baltic Grid (Latvia), Amber Grid (Lithuania), GAZ-SYSTEM (Poland) and ONTRAS (Germany) have signed a cooperation agreement to develop hydrogen infrastructure from Finland through Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and Poland to Germany to meet the REPowerEU 2030 targets. The TSOs have initiated a project called Nordic-Baltic Hydrogen Corridor that will strengthen region’s energy security, reduce the dependency of imported fossil energy and play a prominent role in decarbonising societies and energy-intensive industries along the corridor. It also has significant potential to contribute to the EU’s greenhouse gas emission reduction target by replacing today’s fossil-based production and fossil fuel consumption in industry, transport sector, electricity and heating, with these based on new renewable fuel, i.e., green hydrogen.
Nordic-Baltic Hydrogen Corridor supports diversification of energy supplies, and accelerated roll-out of renewable energy allowing in particular for achieving the EU target of 10 million tonnes of domestic renewable hydrogen production by 2030. The corridor can transport green hydrogen produced in the Baltic Sea area to supply consumption points and industrial clusters along the whole corridor, as well as in central Europe.
In addition, when the hydrogen infrastructure develops further around the Baltic Sea, a strong market for hydrogen can be created enabling access to abundantly available and competitive renewable energy resources.
The project strongly supports EU hydrogen strategy and REPowerEU plan. In addition, the Nordic-Baltic Hydrogen Corridor will support several regional and EU climate targets, such as the EU Green Deal, Fit for 55 package.
Going forward
Taking into account the complexity of the project, project partners take proactive steps toward project implementation. In 2023, during the first phase of the project development, the project partners will conduct a pre-feasibility study. Based on the pre-feasibility study recommendations, a decision on continuation of the project development would be made. Following phases in the project would include engineering and permitting phase, construction and commissioning.
Partners and contact
Gasgrid Finland Oy
Gasgrid Finland Oy is a Finnish state-owned company and transmission system operator with system responsibility. We offer our customers safe, reliable, and cost-efficient transmission of gases. We actively develop our transmission platform, services, and the gas market in a customer-oriented manner to promote the carbon-neutral energy system of the future. Find out more: www.gasgrid.fi/
Contact: Sara Kärki, Leitung für strategische Analysen & FEI, Gasgrid Finland, sara.karki@gasgrid.fi, +358401581722
Elering (Estonia)
Elering is Estonia´s electricity and gas transmission system operator, that operates a pipeline grid of 977 km, including the subsea interconnector with Gasgrid Finland. To ensure the sustainable functioning of security of supply as a critical service, Elering maintains and develops both electricity and gas internal transmission networks and external connections. Elering’s operations are based on principle of an open energy market being aware of responsibility for ensuring the functioning of the energy market and equal treatment of all energy market participants.
Contact: Siim limre, Leitung für Forschung und Entwicklung, Elering siim.iimre@elering.ee
Conexus (Latvia )
Conexus is the only natural gas transmission and storage operator in Latvia and provides an opportunity for registered traders to use the Latvian natural gas transmission system for trading natural gas not only in Latvia, but also in neighbouring regions as well as storage services available for both local and foreign traders. In total, Conexus manages 1,190 km of high-pressure transmission pipeline system, covering the regions of Latvia and transmitting natural gas to the local gas distribution system via 40 gas regulating stations. Additionally, Conexus operates Inčukalns UGS, which is the only functional natural gas storage in the Baltic countries with active gas capacity of 24 TWh.
Contact: Aleksejs Batrakovs, Leitung für Technische Entwicklung, Conexus Baltic Grid, aleksejs.batrakovs@conexus.lv, +37128322622
Amber Grid (Lithuania)
Amber Grid is the operator of the Lithuanian gas transmission system. Company operates 2285 km of high-pressure gas pipelines, gas distribution stations, 2 gas compressor stations. Amber Grid system is connected to gas transmission systems of four other countries and the Klaipėda LNG terminal. Well-developed Lithuanian gas transmission system serves as a regional hub for the gas transmission towards South in Poland direction and North in Latvia direction. Our system connects Baltic and Finnish gas transmission systems with the EU system and gas market. By achieving the goals of decarbonisation of the gas sector, Amber Grid is actively analyzing the possibilities and conditions for adapting the Lithuanian gas transmission system to the transportation of green gas, including hydrogen.
Contact: Laura Šebekienė, Leitung für Kommunikation, Amber Grid, l.sebekiene@ambergrid.lt, +37069961246
GAZ-SYSTEM S.A. (Polen)
Operator Gazociągów Przesyłowych GAZ-SYSTEM S.A. (GAZ-SYSTEM S.A.), the certified Polish Transmission System Operator, a joint stock company with the State Treasury as the sole shareholder, which owns and operates Polish high-pressure gas transmission grid and is responsible for development and maintenance thereof. GAZ-SYSTEM S.A. is also a certified independent operator of the Polish section of the Yamal pipeline (TGPS).
Contact: Frau Iwona Dominiak, Sprecherin, GAZ-SYSTEM, iwona.dominiak@gaz-system.pl, tel. +48227670895; Mobil +48502200081
ONTRAS (Germany)
ONTRAS Gastransport GmbH operates the 7,700 kilometre gas transmission system in eastern Germany and is responsible for the reliable and efficient transport of gaseous energy - today and in the future. We are actively shaping the energy market of the future, contributing ideas and developing sustainable solutions for our infrastructure. In doing so, we rely on reliable technology, many years of experience and our most important asset: a committed team! Our gas infrastructure is compatible with renewable gases and thus also supports a variety of use cases for hydrogen such as material applications, mobility and heat. In order to make our infrastructure fit for a renewable gas supply, we are planning and implementing numerous projects together with partner companies.
Contact: René Döring, Assetentwicklung/Simulation, ONTRAS Gastransport, rene.doering@ontras.com,
+49 341 27111-2771