News flash
- Italy, Germany, Austria, Algeria and Tunisia have signed a joint declaration to press ahead with a plan to build an hydrogen pipeline linking North Africa and Europe.
The SoutH2 Corridor project is a 3,300 km dedicated hydrogen pipeline corridor led by the TSOs: Snam, TAG, GCA and bayernets, whose individual projects have been granted PCI status by being included in the 1st PCI/PMI list under the revised TEN-E Regulation published by the EU Commission on 8 April 2024. The corridor connects North Africa, Italy, Austria and Germany, and is enabling the supply of low-cost renewable hydrogen produced in the South to key European clusters of demand.
The development of the SoutH2 Corridor, which is part of the European Hydrogen Backbone, will guarantee security of supply and is crucial for the development of an interconnected and diversified hydrogen backbone. With a hydrogen import capacity of 4 Mtpa from North Africa, the corridor could deliver more than 40% of the REPowerEU import target. The initiative is centred around the utilisation of existing repurposed midstream infrastructure to transport hydrogen, with the inclusion of some new dedicated infrastructure where necessary. A high proportion of repurposed pipelines (>65%) will enable cost effective transportation, whilst access to favourable renewable hydrogen production locations (wind and solar) in North Africa will enable competitive production, ultimately benefitting the final user.
SoutH2 Corridor is expected to be fully operational as early as 2030
Author: Bryan Groenendaal
