LEARNBOOK ON HYDROGEN

SUPPLY CORRIDORS
Clean Hydrogen Alliance
Transmission and
Distribution Roundtable

H₂

March 2023
1 INTRODUCTION
The European Clean Hydrogen Alliance (ECH2A) Roundtable on Clean Hydrogen Transmis-
sion and Distribution brings together public and private companies, research institutes,
civil society and policy makers/regional authorities working in the transport and distribution
of hydrogen (renewable and/or low-carbon) from renewable and low-carbon hydrogen
production sites to consumer/demand centers, especially those sectors with hard-to-abate
emissions.

The scope of the Roundtable is on the following four Ar- 3. Shipping covering deep sea and short-distance maritime
chetypes: 1. Transmission and distribution pipelines for routes, 4. Inland distribution modes of transport including
local, regional, national, and international transport and trucks, rail, barges, hubs and operational storage (such as
storage facilities; 2. Marine storage and handling terminals bullets, tanks, containers, etc.).
in ports covering both existing as well as new terminals,

Figure 1: Potential H₂ supply corridors, European Commission, RePowerEU Communication Action Plan, May 2022.

2  —  European Clean Hydrogen Alliance Learnbook on Hydrogen Supply corridors

On 29 September 2022, the CEOs of the Roundtable It was agreed that projects in the ‘North-African H₂ corridor’
gave the Sherpas the mandate to prepare a report on ‘H₂ would be allocated to either the South Central (named as
supply corridors’, as outlined in European Commission’s Adriatic in the RePowerEU1) or Iberian corridors depending
RePowerEU Action Plan. REPowerEU outlined the need on their geographical scope. In addition, there would be a
to accelerate development of hydrogen infrastructure for further grouping of projects focusing on Germany as a key
producing, importing, and transporting 20 million tonnes arrival and convergence point for all corridors.
of hydrogen by 2030. The European Commission outlined
three potential H₂ import corridors via the Mediterranean, The projects included in the ‘Learnbook’ reflect the best
the North Sea area and, as soon as conditions allow, with available information submitted by project promoters by
Ukraine. Visually these corridors were split into seven March 2023, and are in no way exhaustive, as some pro-
different routes as seen in Figure 1. moters may still work outside of the reach of the Alliance.
The list of projects outlines the projects visualised in the
The ‘Learnbook on H₂ Supply Corridors’ aims to build Hydrogen Infrastructure Map, which includes projects from
on this framework, providing industry expertise and various collection exercises: TYNDP, PCI, DG GROW survey,
knowledge on three key areas: i) identify the potential and and projects from partner associations (GIE, Eurogas, CE-
specificities of each corridor; ii) provide visual representa- DEC, GD4S, GEODE) and was lastly updated on 31 March
tion of each corridor with a list of planned H₂ transmission, 2023.
distribution, storage, terminal and production/demand
projects; ii) identify region specific bottlenecks and provide Through curation of data and input for the ‘Learnbook’ it
recommendations to mitigate them. became clear that although each corridor has its individual
and unique characteristics, there are several cross-cutting
The scope of the ‘Learnbook’ is based on the RePowerEU’s themes which are common amongst all. Reflecting this, the
schematic representation of the H₂ corridors and will final section of the document delineates these Union-wide
include: bottlenecks and the corresponding Union-wide regulatory
and policy measures that could help ease them.

1. South Central H₂ corridor

2. Iberian H₂ corridor
3. North Sea H₂ corridor
4. Nordic Baltic H₂ corridor
Disclaimer:
5. Eastern H₂ corridor “Joining the ECH2A, NGOs agree to engage and contribute
to the deployment of renewable hydrogen in terms of
6. South-eastern H₂ corridor supply, demand and distribution as we promote the rapid
phase-out of the use and production of all fossil fuels in
order to reach the objectives of the Paris Agreement. Thus
we do not consider fossil fuel based hydrogen as a short-
or long-term solution. We see our role in contributing to
targeting the use of renewable hydrogen specifically to
those sectors and industrial processes which are hard to
decarbonise (steel, cement and basic chemicals, aviation,
shipping and heavy good vehicles).”

1  The South Central H₂ Corridor refers to the Adriatic H₂ Corridor, as named in the REPowerEU Plan. This renaming better reflects the geographical area interested by
this Corridor initiatives and avoids potential confusions with PCI definitions.

European Clean Hydrogen Alliance Learnbook on Hydrogen Supply corridors  —  3

TABLE OF CONTENTS
1 Introduction········································································ 2
2 South Central H₂ supply corridor······························· 5
2.1 Potential of the H₂ corridor·····················································································5
2.2. Projects snapshot ·····································································································6
2.3 Specific bottlenecks······························································································· 10
2.4 Specific recommendations··················································································· 10

3 Iberian H₂ supply corridor·············································11

3.1 Potential of the H₂ corridor·················································································· 11
3.2 Projects snapshot ·································································································· 12
3.3. Specific bottlenecks······························································································· 17
3.4. Specific recommendations··················································································· 17

4 North Sea H₂ supply corridor·······································18

4.1 Potential of the H₂ corridor·················································································· 18
4.2 Projects snapshot ·································································································· 19
4.3 Specific bottlenecks······························································································· 24
4.4 Specific recommendations··················································································· 24

5 Nordic Baltic H₂ supply corridor··································25

5.1 Potential of the H₂ corridor·················································································· 25
5.2 Projects snapshot ·································································································· 26
5.3 Specific bottlenecks······························································································· 30
5.4 Specific recommendations··················································································· 30

6 Eastern H₂ supply corridor···········································31

6.1 Potential of the H₂ corridor·················································································· 31
6.2 Projects snapshot ·································································································· 32
6.3 Specific bottlenecks······························································································· 36
6.4 Specific recommendations··················································································· 36

7 Southeastern H₂ corridor··············································37
7.1 Potential of the H₂ corridor·················································································· 37
7.2 Projects snapshot ·································································································· 38
7.3 Specific bottlenecks······························································································· 42
7.4 Specific recommendations··················································································· 42

8 Germany – demand driving role for all corridors ··43

8.1 Potential of Germany as central demand centre··········································· 43
8.2 Projects snapshot ·································································································· 44
8.3 Specific bottlenecks······························································································· 48
8.4 Specific recommendations··················································································· 49

9 General bottlenecks and recommendations ·········50

9.1 General bottlenecks······························································································· 50
9.2 General Recommendations················································································· 51

10 Conclusion·········································································52
 South Central H₂ supply corridor

2 
SOUTH CENTRAL H₂ SUPPLY
CORRIDOR (NAMED AS ADRIATIC IN THE REPOWEREU)
2.1 POTENTIAL OF THE H₂ CORRIDOR
Major driver of development of the South Central
Corridor is the need to meet hydrogen demand
from industry, transport and power in Italy,
Central Europe, and Germany with a large-scale
production at lower cost in North-Africa. The
countries along the route in Central and Eastern
Europe – such as Austria, Slovenia, Croatia, and
Switzerland will also benefit from competitive
H₂ imports. Key opportunities include the high
repurposing potential of gas pipelines from Italy
to Central Europe via Austria, Slovakia and the
Czech Republic, and pipeline interconnections
with Algeria and Tunisia – the main anticipated
suppliers for this corridor.

The South Central Corridor represents a fun-

damental energy bridge for Europe between
Mediterranean shores, making available to the
Union abundant, cost-competitive hydrogen
resources from North Africa and exploiting for
the most part existing infrastructure. Indeed, the
North Africa-Europe link is a key component to
progressive decarbonisation at the international
level in support of the energy transition. Finally,
the corridor would constitute a strategic link
guaranteeing to Europe greater energy diver-
sification and security while, at the same time,
contributing to the stabilisation of a key Region,
in the context of the European neighborhood
policy.

ACCORDING TO THE EHB 2022 REPORT ANALYSIS:

H₂ supply potential Emissions reductions In 2030 hydrogen supply is

(TWh/y) (MtCO�/y vs. 2019) ~100 TWh, of which more than 70 %
is imports. Hydrogen supply in-
340 TWh 2030 2040 creases significantly 2040, reaching
340 TWh.
97 TWh (2030)

–55 Mt
97 TWh (6 %)

2030 2040 –160 Mt Imports Grid-based Dedicated green Blue

(18 %)
Source: Five hydrogen supply corridors for Europe in 2030,
European Hydrogen Backbone, May 2022

European Clean Hydrogen Alliance Learnbook on Hydrogen Supply corridors  —  5

 South Central H₂ supply corridor

2.2. PROJECTS SNAPSHOT

HYDROGEN INFRASTRUCTURE MAP 2030

LEGEND

Transmission Storage Terminals and ports

New New and converted aquifer New
New and conversion Conversion of existing aquifer New and conversion
Conversion of existing infrastructure New depleted field Conversion of existing infrastructure
New and converted depleted field
Distribution Conversion of existing depleted field Demand
New salt cavern
New Demand
New and converted salt cavern
New and conversion
Conversion of existing depleted salt cavern
Conversion of existing infrastructure
New surface storage
Production
Completed
Electrolyser
High pressure distribution
Methane Reforming (SMR/ATR)
Other/no data available

6  —  European Clean Hydrogen Alliance Learnbook on Hydrogen Supply corridors

 South Central H₂ supply corridor

HYDROGEN INFRASTRUCTURE MAP 2040

LEGEND

Transmission Storage Terminals and ports

New New and converted aquifer New
New and conversion Conversion of existing aquifer New and conversion
Conversion of existing infrastructure New depleted field Conversion of existing infrastructure
New and converted depleted field
Distribution Conversion of existing depleted field Demand
New salt cavern
New Demand
New and converted salt cavern
New and conversion
Conversion of existing depleted salt cavern
Conversion of existing infrastructure
New surface storage
Production
Completed
Electrolyser
High pressure distribution
Methane Reforming (SMR/ATR)
Other/no data available

European Clean Hydrogen Alliance Learnbook on Hydrogen Supply corridors  —  7

 South Central H₂ supply corridor

HYDROGEN INFRASTRUCTURE MAP 2050

LEGEND

Transmission Storage Terminals and ports

New New and converted aquifer New
New and conversion Conversion of existing aquifer New and conversion
Conversion of existing infrastructure New depleted field Conversion of existing infrastructure
New and converted depleted field
Distribution Conversion of existing depleted field Demand
New salt cavern
New Demand
New and converted salt cavern
New and conversion
Conversion of existing depleted salt cavern
Conversion of existing infrastructure
New surface storage
Production
Completed
Electrolyser
High pressure distribution
Methane Reforming (SMR/ATR)
Other/no data available

8  —  European Clean Hydrogen Alliance Learnbook on Hydrogen Supply corridors

 South Central H₂ supply corridor

Commis-
Project name Category sioning year Capacity Link

Italian H� Backbone (part of SunsHyne corridor) Transmission 2030 Import from N. Africa:
448 GWh/d
Export to N. EU: 201 GWh/d

Puglia Green Hydrogen Valley – Cerignola Production 2026 80 MW

Puglia Green Hydrogen Valley – Taranto Production 2026 80 MW

Puglia Green Hydrogen Valley – Brindisi Production 2026 60 MW

SLOH2 backbone Transmission 2035 6 GWh/d

SLOP2G(electrolyser) Production 2028 10 MW

Central European Hydrogen corridor project, Transmission 2030 144 GWh/d

CEHC SK part Baumgarten and Lanžhot (part of
SunsHyne corridor)

Central European Hydrogen corridor project, Transmission 2030 144 GWh/d

CEHC, CZ part (Lanžhot-Waidhaus)
(part of SunsHyne corridor)

OGE H2ercules Network South Transmission 2030 144 GWh/d

(part of SunsHyne corridor)

H� Readiness of the TAG Pipeline System Transmission 2030 168 GWh/day IT/AT
(part of SunsHyne corridor) 142 GWh/d to WAG and/or SK

H� Backbone WAG + Penta West Transmission 2030 55 TWh

H2EU+STORE Transmission & Storage 2030 2030: 2.5 TWh

2040: 40 TWh
2050: 80 TWh

Underground Sun Storage 2030 Storage 2023 Storage working volume:

4.5 GWh H� (assuming one
cycle per year)
Injection capacity:
0.031 GWh H�/d
Withdrawal capacity:
0.048 GWh H�/d

Underground Sun Storage Scale-Up Storage 2030 150 GWh H�

assuming one cycle per year –
project running as of 2030

HyPipe Bavaria – The Hydrogen Hub Transmission 2027–2030 2030: 150 GW/d

H� Collektor Distribution 2026

H� Campus WN Production 2023 3 MW

LogHyn Production 2026 4 000 t/y

The table includes some of the hydrogen projects displayed on the Hydrogen Infrastructure Map, last updated on
30 March 2023.

European Clean Hydrogen Alliance Learnbook on Hydrogen Supply corridors  —  9

 South Central H₂ supply corridor

2.3 SPECIFIC BOTTLENECKS

The peculiarity of the regions involved and the strong — Energy demand is strongly condensed in North Italy/
dependance on extra-EU countries for large-scale produc- Austria/Germany while the potential for the most
tion at lower costs needs to be considered. cost-effective production of hydrogen is in the south
of Europe/ North Africa. Taking advantage of higher
— In North Africa there is currently a lack of dedicated H₂ RES availability and producibility, as well as extended
infrastructure assets and a clear development ­process land availability, green hydrogen production in Southern
for H₂ infrastructures while natural gas pipelines regions is the most cost-efficient solution, also adding
­connecting North Africa to Europe through Italy are the transport costs from North Africa to Europe.
already in place and suitable for repurposing.

2.4 SPECIFIC RECOMMENDATIONS

— To address the issue with lack of infrastructure as — To tackle the need for interconnection between the
­mentioned above, in January 2023 Italy and Algeria North and South a coordinated development of the
signed a cooperation agreement to develop energy full corridor, including progressive enhancements of
infrastructures, including H₂ pipes. The cooperation the H₂ Italian backbone and their interconnections with
agreement involves various industrial players, including ­Austrian, Slovak, Czech and German grids, should be
upstream and infrastructure operators in order to define ensured.
a ­strategic collaboration to support the development of
the hydrogen corridor. — Intensify existing and establish new strategic energy/
H₂ partnerships between EU and promising export-
ing countries (for example by signing collaboration
documents on strategic projects for large scale and
cost-efficient hydrogen production). One example of
cooperation that could be used as basis for the MoU
with North Africa is the signed MoU EU-Ukraine "on a
Strategic Partnership on Renewable Gases."

10  —  European Clean Hydrogen Alliance Learnbook on Hydrogen Supply corridors

 Iberian H₂ supply corridor

3 IBERIAN H₂ SUPPLY CORRIDOR

3.1 POTENTIAL OF THE H₂ CORRIDOR
Major driver for the development is to ­connect
high-production potential regions in the south (ES,
PT, MO, DZ) with off-taker regions in North-Western
Europe (DE, BE, NL, FR). New ­interconnections be-
tween Portugal and Spain, and between the Iberian
Peninsula and France are key for the d ­ evelopment
of the corridor. As it would help p­ rovide reliable H₂
supply for off takers in the region and allow all three
countries to benefit from the low-cost, high-vol-
ume Spanish and Portuguese hydrogen production
and underground storage sites located in France
and in the Iberian Peninsula. This corridor, which
would stretch all the way to ­Germany, can play an
important role in decarbonising regional industrial
and transport ecosystems in Portugal, Spain, and
France, and deliver hydrogen at low cost to demand
centres in Germany and neighbouring countries.

This project corresponds to the announcement

made on the 20 of October 2022 in Brussels by
three leaders from France, Spain and Portugal to
develop a maritime pipeline connecting Barcelona
with Marseille as the most direct and efficient
option to connect the Iberian Peninsula to Central
Europe. In Alicante on 9 of December 2022, they
confirmed the launching of this Green Energy
corridor, newly called H2Med. In the longer term
the corridor can also provide access to hydrogen
imports from Morocco and Algeria.

ACCORDING TO THE EHB 2022 REPORT ANALYSIS:

H₂ supply potential Emissions reductions In 2030 hydrogen supply is

(TWh/y) (MtCO�/y vs. 2019) ~160 TWh, of which 65 % is is from
dedicated green hydrogen. Hydrogen
569 TWh 2030 2040 supply increases significantly 2040,
reaching 570 TWh.
164 TWh (2030)

–73 Mt
164 TWh (7 %)

2030 2040 –211 Mt Imports Grid-based Dedicated green Blue

(21 %)
Source: Five hydrogen supply corridors for Europe in 2030,
European Hydrogen Backbone, May 2022

European Clean Hydrogen Alliance Learnbook on Hydrogen Supply corridors  —  11

 Iberian H₂ supply corridor

3.2 PROJECTS SNAPSHOT

HYDROGEN INFRASTRUCTURE MAP 2030

LEGEND

Transmission Storage Terminals and ports

New New and converted aquifer New
New and conversion Conversion of existing aquifer New and conversion
Conversion of existing infrastructure New depleted field Conversion of existing infrastructure
New and converted depleted field
Distribution Conversion of existing depleted field Demand
New salt cavern
New Demand
New and converted salt cavern
New and conversion
Conversion of existing depleted salt cavern
Conversion of existing infrastructure
New surface storage
Production
Completed
Electrolyser
High pressure distribution
Methane Reforming (SMR/ATR)
Other/no data available

12  —  European Clean Hydrogen Alliance Learnbook on Hydrogen Supply corridors

 Iberian H₂ supply corridor

HYDROGEN INFRASTRUCTURE MAP 2040

LEGEND

Transmission Storage Terminals and ports

New New and converted aquifer New
New and conversion Conversion of existing aquifer New and conversion
Conversion of existing infrastructure New depleted field Conversion of existing infrastructure
New and converted depleted field
Distribution Conversion of existing depleted field Demand
New salt cavern
New Demand
New and converted salt cavern
New and conversion
Conversion of existing depleted salt cavern
Conversion of existing infrastructure
New surface storage
Production
Completed
Electrolyser
High pressure distribution
Methane Reforming (SMR/ATR)
Other/no data available

European Clean Hydrogen Alliance Learnbook on Hydrogen Supply corridors  —  13

 Iberian H₂ supply corridor

HYDROGEN INFRASTRUCTURE MAP 2050

LEGEND

Transmission Storage Terminals and ports

New New and converted aquifer New
New and conversion Conversion of existing aquifer New and conversion
Conversion of existing infrastructure New depleted field Conversion of existing infrastructure
New and converted depleted field
Distribution Conversion of existing depleted field Demand
New salt cavern
New Demand
New and converted salt cavern
New and conversion
Conversion of existing depleted salt cavern
Conversion of existing infrastructure
New surface storage
Production
Completed
Electrolyser
High pressure distribution
Methane Reforming (SMR/ATR)
Other/no data available

14  —  European Clean Hydrogen Alliance Learnbook on Hydrogen Supply corridors

 Iberian H₂ supply corridor

Commis-
Project name Category sioning year Capacity Link

H2Med-CelZa Transmission 2030 0.75 MTPA H�

(81 GWh/d HHV)

H2Med-BarMar Transmission 2030 2 MTPA H� (216 GWh/d HHV)

Spanish hydrogen backbone 2030 Transmission 2028–2030 1.3 Mt of national demand,

(6th list PCI candidate) 2 Mt of exports through
BarMar, 0.75 Mt of imports
through CelZa and 0.45 Mt
of exports through carriers
(maritime transmission)

Spanish hydrogen backbone (including repurposing Transmission ~ 2040

of existing gas connections with France and
Morocco)

ES-IT Offshore Interconnector (new H�-ready gas Transmission 2040 320 GWh/d HHV
pipeline to be repurposed)

H� storage North-1 (Spain) Storage 2030 Working Gas Volume by 2030:

335 GWh (Full WGV to reach
1,110 GWh before 2040 at a
later stage of development)

H� storage North-2 (Spain) Storage 2030 Working Gas Volume by 2030:

240 GWh (Full WGV to reach
812 GWh before 2040 at a
later stage of development)

Yela Storage 2040 Working Gas Volume:

1,700 GWh

HySoW (Hydrogen Southwest corridor of France) Transmission & Storage 2030 44 GWh/d HHV (transport part
to connect the storage)
Storage saline capacities:
500 GWh (WGV HHV)

H2Med-CelZa Transmission 2030 81 GWh/d HHV

(Celorico da Beira - Vale de Frades pipeline)

Portuguese hydrogen backbone first stage Transmission 2030 Portuguese hydrogen back-
(Includes: new Figueira da Foz Cantanhede pipeline, bone will accommodate the H�
and repurposed pipelines Cantanhede Mangualde, production and consumption
Mangualde Celorico da Beira, and Monforte in Portugal and allow for an
Celorico da Beira) export of up to 0.75 Mt via
CelZa to Spain.

Portuguese hydrogen backbone 2040 Transmission 2040 Portuguese hydrogen back-

bone will accommodate the H₂
production and consumption
in Portugal and allow for an
export of up to 0.75 Mt via
CelZa to Spain

MosaHYc Transmission 2027 5,5 GWh/d

RHYn Transmission 2028 20 GWh/d

European Clean Hydrogen Alliance Learnbook on Hydrogen Supply corridors  —  15

 Iberian H₂ supply corridor

Commis-
Project name Category sioning year Capacity Link

WHHYN Transmission 2026 24 GWh/d

DHUNE Transmission 2027 24 GWh/d

French-Belgian corridor Transmission

HYnframed Transmission 2028 25 GWh/d

Hy-Fen Transmission 2030 200 GWh/d

French Hydrogen Backbone 2040 Transmission 2040 NA

HyWest Larrau and Biriatou Transmission 2035–2040 Biriatou: 85 GWh/d (HHV)

Larrau: 47 GWh/d (HHV)

H2ercules Network South Transmission 2030 192 GWh/d

Hypster (First phase) Storage 2023 Storage Working volume:

0.12 GWh

Hypster (Second phase) Storage 2026 Storage Working volume:

1.7 GWh

GeoH2 Storage 2030 Storage Working volume:

250 GWh

Tarragona Hydrogen Network (T-HYNET) Production 2025 150 MW

(Electrolyser)

Valle andaluz del hidrogeno verde (Electrolyser) Production 2027 2 GW

Hyperion H� Alter (Electrolyser) Production 2025 9.22 MW

H2Sines.Rdam Terminal & Port 2026

H2Sines.RDAM electrolyser Production 2028 400 MW

BH2C (Phase I, II, III, IV) Distribution 2023–2026

Asturias H� Valley Distribution 2025

The table includes some of the hydrogen projects displayed on the Hydrogen Infrastructure Map, last updated on
30 March 2023.

16  —  European Clean Hydrogen Alliance Learnbook on Hydrogen Supply corridors

 Iberian H₂ supply corridor

3.3. SPECIFIC BOTTLENECKS

— There is no adequate and timely development of stor- — There is currently lack of dedicated H₂ assets and
age assets at this stage in the Iberian corridor, which development process for hydrogen in North Africa. At
provides a problem for efficient use and development this stage no substantial flows from North Africa are
of transport infrastructure. There are regulatory, admin- assumed in 2030 via the Iberian corridor.
istrative and financial issues which are not sufficiently
addressed at present.

3.4. SPECIFIC RECOMMENDATIONS

The storage and transport infrastructure should be devel- Support for development of import from North Africa:
oped consistently in a timely manner along the corridor:
— Energy demand is strongly condensed in Germany
— Timely development of the storage projects across while the potential for the most cost-effective pro-
the corridor is important to provide the needed market duction of hydrogen is in the south of Europe/North
integration and security of supply. This is of particular Africa. Taking advantage of higher RES availability and
interest for the Iberian corridor, supplying demand to producibility, as well as extended land availability, green
Germany with wind and solar renewable based hydro- hydrogen ­production in Southern regions is the most
gen produced in Spain. ­cost-­efficient solution.

— Need to get as soon as possible clarity on availability — Energy partnerships with third countries like Morocco
of funds to finance first the studies and then the works and Algeria have to be intensified to ensure H₂ imports
to comply with the 2030 commissioning objectives. from these regions with promising renewable poten-
Waiting for the CEF fund related to the PCI status would tials. Current initiatives like the one between Germany,
threaten the availability of the corridor in due time. CBA the country towards which the corridor is transport-
and CBCA conducted needs to capture all the costs and ing hydrogen, and Morocco and Algeria should be
benefits for all projects and countries included in the intensified and extended. These partnerships should
Iberian corridor. involve governments and industrial players for good
coordination across the corridor. The questions around
— To tackle the need for interconnection between the guarantee of origin certification should also be part
North and South a coordinated development along the of these partnerships. There is a need for reinforced
entire corridor, including progressive enhancements coordination between EU, EU member states and North
of the H₂ Spanish and Portuguese backbone and their African countries.
interconnections with French and German backbones,
should be ensured.

European Clean Hydrogen Alliance Learnbook on Hydrogen Supply corridors  —  17

 North Sea H₂ supply corridor

4 NORTH SEA H₂ SUPPLY CORRIDOR

4.1 POTENTIAL OF THE H₂ CORRIDOR
The corridor will combine several types of infrastruc-
ture assets to establish itself as a hub for (i) liquid
­imports of hydrogen and derivatives, (ii) pipeline
­imports and wider transmission, (iii) storage, (iv)
production, and (v) end-use. To build up this full eco-
system the corridor leverages existing infrastructure
of the seaports in Antwerp, Rotterdam, Zeebrugge,
Amsterdam, Gent, Terneuzen, Vlissingen, which will
form the start of an energy import and ­transport
­corridor. As well as leverage on the extensive ­offshore
renewable capacity in the North Sea with import
capacity and connection to the national and regional
H₂ backbones in the Netherlands and ­Belgium to the
hinterland in Germany.

Hydrogen derivates as such are well-known

­products in this region as they are already widely
used in the chemical clusters close to ports as well
as in the ­German hinterland. Hence, there is existing
­infrastructure to import and use hydrogen/hydrogen
derivates as well as other assets such as know-how
and expertise on safety of handling these molecules.
Based on EHB Initiative analysis, the corridor covers
12,000 km of large-scale hydrogen pipelines in 2030,
of which 70 % would be repurposed.

ACCORDING TO THE EHB 2022 REPORT ANALYSIS:

H₂ supply potential Emissions reductions In 2030 hydrogen supply is

(TWh/y) (MtCO�/y vs. 2019) ~250 TWh, of which over 40 % is blue
852 TWh hydrogen. Hydrogen supply increa-
2030 2040 ses significantly 2040, reaching
570 TWh.
249 TWh (2030)
249 TWh
–94 Mt
(8 %)

2030 2040 –254 Mt Imports Grid-based Dedicated green Blue

(21 %)
Source: Five hydrogen supply corridors for Europe in 2030,
European Hydrogen Backbone, May 2022

18  —  European Clean Hydrogen Alliance Learnbook on Hydrogen Supply corridors

 North Sea H₂ supply corridor

4.2 PROJECTS SNAPSHOT

HYDROGEN INFRASTRUCTURE MAP 2030

LEGEND

Transmission Storage Terminals and ports

New New and converted aquifer New
New and conversion Conversion of existing aquifer New and conversion
Conversion of existing infrastructure New depleted field Conversion of existing infrastructure
New and converted depleted field
Distribution Conversion of existing depleted field Demand
New salt cavern
New Demand
New and converted salt cavern
New and conversion
Conversion of existing depleted salt cavern
Conversion of existing infrastructure
New surface storage
Production
Completed
Electrolyser
High pressure distribution
Methane Reforming (SMR/ATR)
Other/no data available

European Clean Hydrogen Alliance Learnbook on Hydrogen Supply corridors  —  19

 North Sea H₂ supply corridor

HYDROGEN INFRASTRUCTURE MAP 2040

LEGEND

Transmission Storage Terminals and ports

New New and converted aquifer New
New and conversion Conversion of existing aquifer New and conversion
Conversion of existing infrastructure New depleted field Conversion of existing infrastructure
New and converted depleted field
Distribution Conversion of existing depleted field Demand
New salt cavern
New Demand
New and converted salt cavern
New and conversion
Conversion of existing depleted salt cavern
Conversion of existing infrastructure
New surface storage
Production
Completed
Electrolyser
High pressure distribution
Methane Reforming (SMR/ATR)
Other/no data available

20  —  European Clean Hydrogen Alliance Learnbook on Hydrogen Supply corridors

 North Sea H₂ supply corridor

HYDROGEN INFRASTRUCTURE MAP 2050

LEGEND

Transmission Storage Terminals and ports

New New and converted aquifer New
New and conversion Conversion of existing aquifer New and conversion
Conversion of existing infrastructure New depleted field Conversion of existing infrastructure
New and converted depleted field
Distribution Conversion of existing depleted field Demand
New salt cavern
New Demand
New and converted salt cavern
New and conversion
Conversion of existing depleted salt cavern
Conversion of existing infrastructure
New surface storage
Production
Completed
Electrolyser
High pressure distribution
Methane Reforming (SMR/ATR)
Other/no data available

European Clean Hydrogen Alliance Learnbook on Hydrogen Supply corridors  —  21

 North Sea H₂ supply corridor

Commis-
Project name Category sioning year Capacity Link

DK Hydrogen Pipeline, West DK Hydrogen Transmission 2028 60 GWh/d

System

DK Hydrogen Storage Storage 2030 Working Gas Volume:

3,500 t H� (116 GWh),
Injection: 3.16 GWh/d
Withdrawal: 9.5 GWh/d

Delta H₂ Corridor Transmission 2027 131,5 GWh/d

National H₂ Backbone by Gasunie (NL) Transmission 2027 Capacity: 10–15 GW by 2030

Interconnection capacities:
NL-BE 2026 1,5 GW
NL-BE 2030 2 GW
NL-BE 2040 3 GW
NL-DE 2026 0,5 GW
NL-DE 2030 10,2 GW
NL-DE 2040 15,8 GW

Belgian Hydrogen Backbone (BE) Transmission 2026 BE-NL: +36 GWh/d

BE-FR: +24 GWh/d
2027 Import: +16.2 GWh/d
2030 BE-NL: +12 GWh/d
BE-FR: +84 GWh/d
BE-DE: +91 GWh/d
Import: +48 GWh/d
2040 BE-NL: +12 GWh/d

Zeebrugge New Molecules development Terminal & port 2030 -3 NH� tanks of 100,000 m3 each
(import) - Connection to H� grid of Fluxys
- 3×3000 t/d cracking of NH� to H�
(1250 t H�/d) equal to 450,000 t/y
- 17.7 TWh/y HHV
- 48 GWh/d = 2 GWh/h

Dunkerque New Molecules development Terminal & port 2030 - 3 NH� tanks of 100,000 m3 each
(import) - Connection to H� grid of GRTgaz
- 3×3000 t/d cracking of NH� to H�
(1250 t H�/d) equal to 450,000 t/y
- 17.7 TWh/y HHV
- 48 GWh/d = 2 GWh/h

Antwerp NH₃ Import Terminal (Antwerp) Terminal & port 2027 - 2 NH� tanks of 100,000 m3 each
- Connection to H� grid of Fluxys
- Cracking of NH� to H�: 3000 t/d
- 3000 t/d NH� is equal to
411 t/H�/ day
- 150,000 t/H� per year
- 5.9 TWh/y HHV
- 16.2 GWh/d = 0.67 GWh/h HHV

H2BE (large-scale low-carbon H₂ production in Production 2028 1 GW

North Sea port (Ghent)

HyStock hydrogen storage Storage 2027 Working gas volume: 833 GWh
Injection capacity: 75.5 GWh/d
Withdrawal capacity: 75.5 GWh/d

SeaH2land (electrolyser in North Sea Port Production 2030 1 GW

Vlissingen)

22  —  European Clean Hydrogen Alliance Learnbook on Hydrogen Supply corridors

 North Sea H₂ supply corridor

Commis-
Project name Category sioning year Capacity Link

Project Helios Terminal & port 2026

Amplifhy Rotterdam Terminal & port 2026 Daily Send-out capacity:

45 GWh

Amplifhy Antwerp Terminal & port 2026 Daily Send-out capacity: 45 GWh

CHYMIA (Cluster HYdrogen for Mobility Production 2025 100 MW

and Industry in Antwerp)

NorthH2 Production 2030 4 GW

Djewels (electrolyser) Production 2025 20 MW

ACE terminal in Rotterdam Terminal & port 2026 6,240 GWh/y

AquaDuctus Transmission 2029 Transport capacity of up to 10 GW

of green hydrogen production

HyOffwind (Zeebrugge) Production 2024 25 MW

Power to Methanol Production 2023 8,000 t/methanol

H2ermes (electrolyser) Production 2025 100 MW

H2era Production 2026 500 MW

HyNetherlands Production 2025 100 MW

H2morrow Production 2028 1 GW

HH1 Loading Facility Production 2025 200 MW

H2-Fifty (electrolysers) Production 2025 250 MW

Green Hydrogen Hub Zuidwending Storage 2026 Storage working volume: 400 GWh
Injection capacity: 4.5936 GWh/d
Withdrawal capacity: 9.216 GWh/d

Green Hydrogen Hub Drenthe Storage 2028 Storage working volume: 400 GWh
Injection capacity: 4.5936 GWh/d
Withdrawal capacity: 9.216 GWh/d

H2ercules Network North Transmission 2028 IP Oude: 52.8 GWh/d

IP Dornum / Wilhelmshaven:
642 GWh/d

H2ercules Network West Transmission 2030 IP Eynatten: 91.2 GWh/d

H2ercules Network North-West Transmission 2030 IP Elten: 76.8 GWh/d

Stad Aardgasvrij - Hydrogen City Distribution 2025

WaterstofWijk Wagenborgen Distribution 2023

The table includes some of the hydrogen projects displayed on the Hydrogen Infrastructure Map, last updated on
30 March 2023.

European Clean Hydrogen Alliance Learnbook on Hydrogen Supply corridors  —  23

 North Sea H₂ supply corridor

4.3 SPECIFIC BOTTLENECKS

— Missing open-access hydrogen backbone connected — The local renewable electricity-to-hydrogen production
to industrial regions in German hinterland (e.g. parts of capacity will not be able to meet high demands in this
Bavaria and Baden-Wuerttemberg). highly industrialised region and the hinterland it is
­serving, this imbalance will need to be addressed by
— Lack of adequate regulatory, as well as R&I framework imports from third countries.
as to transportation of hydrogen and hydrogen carriers
from landing point to place of consumption.

4.4 SPECIFIC RECOMMENDATIONS

— Capitalise on existing infrastructure to import and use — Address regulatory challenges linked to transportation
hydrogen and hydrogen derivates, as well as on the of hydrogen and hydrogen carriers from the l­anding
existing expertise as a solid basis to build upon. ports to the hinterland destinations by different
­t ransport modes, such as by barges, rail, seagoing
— Support large scale imports by the creation of a vessels.
well-functioning international market for hydrogen/­
hydrogen carriers by a.o. guarantee of origin/certi- E.g. to see the uptake of the construction of ­hydrogen
fication system, operational support mechanisms, and hydrogen carrier seaborne tankers, certain
rapid permitting procedures for the development of ­regulatory challenges linked to safety issues and lack
­infrastructures, international partnerships, etc. of international standards, as well as lack of sufficient
and coordinated investments, need to be addressed;

e.g. to facilitate transport by barges and rail there is a

need for clear and harmonised safety regulations and
permitting procedures for LH₂ and CH₂ transportation in
inland shipping and rail.

24  —  European Clean Hydrogen Alliance Learnbook on Hydrogen Supply corridors

 Nordic Baltic H₂ supply corridor

5 
NORDIC BALTIC H₂ SUPPLY
CORRIDOR
5.1 POTENTIAL OF THE H₂ CORRIDOR
Major driver for the development of the Nordic
­B altic H₂ supply corridor is the major potential
­onshore and offshore wind potential in the Nordics,
and the Baltic Sea, along with grid-based green hy-
drogen, leveraging the vast, low-cost hydropower
potential of the Nordics. The Baltic Sea is a large
area with dense population and a relatively small
amount of consumption. Hydrogen will be supplied
to steel, ammonia, paper and pulp industry located
in the North (need of 100 TWh of H₂) as well as to
the continent. Pipeline and terminal routes with first
green exports from the region to continental Europe
planned in 2028.

The Nordic route will build on new hydrogen

­infrastructure based on development of 1,000
km of dedicated green H₂ pipeline in the Bothnian
Bay ­operational by 2028. There is also a plan for
3,000 km long pipeline based on a joint project
to connect six states – Finland, Estonia, Latvia,
­Lithuania, Poland and Germany. This corridor offers
also connection to Central and Eastern Europe and
South Germany via pipelines in the project “FLOW –
Making Hydrogen Happen” and the “Czech-German
Hydrogen Interconnector”.

ACCORDING TO THE EHB 2022 REPORT ANALYSIS:

In 2030 hydrogen supply is ~185 TWh, of which nearly

70 % is green hydrogen. Hydrogen supply increases 184 TWh (2030)
significantly 2040, reaching 500 TWh.

Imports Grid-based Dedicated green Blue

Source: Five hydrogen supply corridors for Europe in 2030,

European Hydrogen Backbone, May 2022

European Clean Hydrogen Alliance Learnbook on Hydrogen Supply corridors  —  25

 Nordic Baltic H₂ supply corridor

5.2 PROJECTS SNAPSHOT

HYDROGEN INFRASTRUCTURE
MAP 2030

LEGEND

Transmission Storage Terminals and ports

New New and converted aquifer New
New and conversion Conversion of existing aquifer New and conversion
Conversion of existing infrastructure New depleted field Conversion of existing infrastructure
New and converted depleted field
Distribution Conversion of existing depleted field Demand
New salt cavern
New Demand
New and converted salt cavern
New and conversion
Conversion of existing depleted salt cavern
Conversion of existing infrastructure
New surface storage
Production
Completed
Electrolyser
High pressure distribution
Methane Reforming (SMR/ATR)
Other/no data available

26  —  European Clean Hydrogen Alliance Learnbook on Hydrogen Supply corridors

 Nordic Baltic H₂ supply corridor

HYDROGEN INFRASTRUCTURE
MAP 2040

LEGEND

Transmission Storage Terminals and ports

New New and converted aquifer New
New and conversion Conversion of existing aquifer New and conversion
Conversion of existing infrastructure New depleted field Conversion of existing infrastructure
New and converted depleted field
Distribution Conversion of existing depleted field Demand
New salt cavern
New Demand
New and converted salt cavern
New and conversion
Conversion of existing depleted salt cavern
Conversion of existing infrastructure
New surface storage
Production
Completed
Electrolyser
High pressure distribution
Methane Reforming (SMR/ATR)
Other/no data available

European Clean Hydrogen Alliance Learnbook on Hydrogen Supply corridors  —  27

 Nordic Baltic H₂ supply corridor

HYDROGEN INFRASTRUCTURE
MAP 2050

LEGEND

Transmission Storage Terminals and ports

New New and converted aquifer New
New and conversion Conversion of existing aquifer New and conversion
Conversion of existing infrastructure New depleted field Conversion of existing infrastructure
New and converted depleted field
Distribution Conversion of existing depleted field Demand
New salt cavern
New Demand
New and converted salt cavern
New and conversion
Conversion of existing depleted salt cavern
Conversion of existing infrastructure
New surface storage
Production
Completed
Electrolyser
High pressure distribution
Methane Reforming (SMR/ATR)
Other/no data available

28  —  European Clean Hydrogen Alliance Learnbook on Hydrogen Supply corridors

 Nordic Baltic H₂ supply corridor

Commis-
Project name Category sioning year Capacity Link

Nordic Hydrogen Route – Bothnian Bay – Transmission 2029 406 GWh/d

Swedish part

Nordic-Baltic Hydrogen Corridor – FI section Transmission 2029 200 GWh/d

3H2 – Helsinki Hydrogen Hub Production 2024 2 MW

UPM Lappeenranta Biorefinery Green H� Production 2025 20 MW

Hycamite Customer Sample Facility Production 2023 7.85 MW

Hydrogen step 1 in Hofors Production 2023 20 MW

IPCEI Northern Green Crane Terminal & port 2026 Expected yearly volume:
292 GW/y

Nordic-Baltic Hydrogen Coridor – EE section Transmission 2029 200 GWh/d

Nordic-Baltic Hydrogen Corridor – LT section Transmission 2029 200 GWh/d

Nordic Baltic Hydrogen Corridor – LV section Transmission 2029 200 GWh/d

Hydrogen seasonal storage in Latvia Storage 2040

Nordic-Baltic Hydrogen Corridor – PL section Transmission 2029 200 GWh/d

Polish Hydrogen Backbone Infrastructure Transmission 2039

Damasławek Hydrogen Storage project Storage 2035 Storage working volume:

up to 4.3 TWh

Green Falcon Production 2021 515 MW

H� Interconnector Bornholm – Lubmin Transmission 2027 2027: 36 GWh/d

2030: 91.2 GWh/d
2035: 240 GWh/d

Flow– Making Hydrogen happen (VIP Brandov) Transmission 2030–2035 240 GWh/d
(part of Hydrogen Interconnector)

Czech German Hydrogen Interconnector, Transmission 2030 144 GWh/d

Czech Part Brandov – Waidhaus
(part of Czech – German Hydrogen Interconnector)

OGE H2ercules Network South Transmission 2030 IP Waidhaus: 144 GWh/d

(part of Czech – German Hydrogen Interconnector)

The included data on capacities is subject to change based on future feasibility study results.

The table includes some of the hydrogen projects displayed on the Hydrogen Infrastructure Map, last updated on
30 March 2023.

European Clean Hydrogen Alliance Learnbook on Hydrogen Supply corridors  —  29

 Nordic Baltic H₂ supply corridor

5.3 SPECIFIC BOTTLENECKS

— Need for tailored engagement to drive public accept- — Limited understanding of the relevant timescale
ance, especially with local indigenous communities in for cross-border planning for the switch from
the North area. gas to h ­ ydrogen. Need to define exact number of
­interconnections and infrastructure to be dedicated
— Limited parallel lines between the clusters/valleys and for H₂.
regionally defined production sites.

5.4 SPECIFIC RECOMMENDATIONS

— Understand the maturity of the hydrogen valleys and — Preparation of the special plan for the connecting
production plans in the region. especially northern part of the region production side
towards further connection with Baltic states towards
— Prepare a joint regional approach plan with specific west of Europe.
­recommendation for the dedicated Members States and
European Commission towards fulfilling ­REpowerEU. — Plan for the potential re-routing towards Ukraine to
utilise the huge potential of the green H₂ production
from the East.

30  —  European Clean Hydrogen Alliance Learnbook on Hydrogen Supply corridors

 Eastern H₂ supply corridor

6 EASTERN H₂ SUPPLY CORRIDOR

6.1 POTENTIAL OF THE H₂ CORRIDOR
Major driver for the development of the Eastern
corridor is to utilise the potential of renewable
hydrogen production in Ukraine. Ukraine is a very
promising future major supplier of renewable
­hydrogen with excellent conditions for large-scale,
green hydrogen production development. The
­e stimated technical potential is ~500–800 GW
of renewable energy capacity, while the supply
­potential ranges between ~1,000–1,500 TWh.

Ukraine has well-developed ammonia and steel

production industries which could prove suitable
offtakers. Ukraine is well connected to Europe by
its large natural gas pipeline system that can be
repurposed to transport hydrogen and also features
a significant number of large-scale underground gas
storages.

Parallel pipelines along the planned project “Central

European Hydrogen Corridor (CEHC)” allow for fast
and cost-efficient repurposing of dedicated pipe-
lines without any negative effect on the security
of the regional supply of natural gas. Repurposed
pipelines in the Czech Republic and Slovakia will
be combined with targeted investments in new
dedicated H₂ pipelines in Austria and compressor
stations in Slovakia. The Hydrogen storage facilities
of RAG Austria in the regions of Salzburg and Upper
Austria and NAFTA in Slovakia (IPCEI) will be used
to secure and structure the (seasonal) demand of
the hydrogen consumers. The corridor can connect
high H₂ supply p­ otential in Ukraine with off takers in
Central Europe and ­southern Germany by 2030. On
the corridor ­additional countries can be connected,
i.e. Hungary, Slovenia and Croatia. Besides pipeline
transport, the Danube river could be used for the
transport of hydrogen derivates from Eastern
Europe via ships.

European Clean Hydrogen Alliance Learnbook on Hydrogen Supply corridors  —  31

 Eastern H₂ supply corridor

6.2 PROJECTS SNAPSHOT

HYDROGEN INFRASTRUCTURE MAP 2030

LEGEND

Transmission Storage Terminals and ports

New New and converted aquifer New
New and conversion Conversion of existing aquifer New and conversion
Conversion of existing infrastructure New depleted field Conversion of existing infrastructure
New and converted depleted field
Distribution Conversion of existing depleted field Demand
New salt cavern
New Demand
New and converted salt cavern
New and conversion
Conversion of existing depleted salt cavern
Conversion of existing infrastructure
New surface storage
Production
Completed
Electrolyser
High pressure distribution
Methane Reforming (SMR/ATR)
Other/no data available

32  —  European Clean Hydrogen Alliance Learnbook on Hydrogen Supply corridors

 Eastern H₂ supply corridor

HYDROGEN INFRASTRUCTURE MAP 2040

LEGEND

Transmission Storage Terminals and ports

New New and converted aquifer New
New and conversion Conversion of existing aquifer New and conversion
Conversion of existing infrastructure New depleted field Conversion of existing infrastructure
New and converted depleted field
Distribution Conversion of existing depleted field Demand
New salt cavern
New Demand
New and converted salt cavern
New and conversion
Conversion of existing depleted salt cavern
Conversion of existing infrastructure
New surface storage
Production
Completed
Electrolyser
High pressure distribution
Methane Reforming (SMR/ATR)
Other/no data available

European Clean Hydrogen Alliance Learnbook on Hydrogen Supply corridors  —  33

 Eastern H₂ supply corridor

HYDROGEN INFRASTRUCTURE MAP 2050

LEGEND

Transmission Storage Terminals and ports

New New and converted aquifer New
New and conversion Conversion of existing aquifer New and conversion
Conversion of existing infrastructure New depleted field Conversion of existing infrastructure
New and converted depleted field
Distribution Conversion of existing depleted field Demand
New salt cavern
New Demand
New and converted salt cavern
New and conversion
Conversion of existing depleted salt cavern
Conversion of existing infrastructure
New surface storage
Production
Completed
Electrolyser
High pressure distribution
Methane Reforming (SMR/ATR)
Other/no data available

34  —  European Clean Hydrogen Alliance Learnbook on Hydrogen Supply corridors

 Eastern H₂ supply corridor

Commis-
Project name Category sioning year Capacity Link

H2EU+STORE Transmission & Storage 2030 2030: 2.5 TWh

2040: 40 TWh
2050: 80 TWh

Underground Sun Storage 2030 Storage 2023 Storage working volume:

4.5 GWh H� (assuming one
cycle per year)
Injection capacity:
0.031 GWh H�/d
Withdrawal capacity:
0.048 GWh H�/d

Underground Sun Storage Scale-Up Storage 2030 150 GWh H�, assuming
one cycle per year – Project
running as of 2030

Central European Hydrogen Corridor (UKR part) Transmission 2030 2030: IP Veľké Kapušany
240 GWh/d

Central European Hydrogen Corridor (SK part) Transmission 2030 2030: IP Veľké Kapušany
240 GWh/d
2030: IP Baumgarten
144 GWh/d

Central European Hydrogen Corridor (CZ part) Transmission 2030 2030: 144 GWh/d

OGE H2ercules Network South Transmission 2030 IP Medelsheim: 192 Gwh/d

(part of Central European Hydrogen Corridor) IP Waidhaus: 144 GWh/d

H2I-S&D storage Storage 2023

UGS Lab – H� storage Storage 2024 Injection capacity:

2.6 GWh H�/d
Withdrawal capacity:
4.84 GWh H�/d

Underground Gas Storage Velke Kapusany Storage 2025 Storage working volume:
3,122.83 GWh mix of H�
and natural gas
Injection capacity:
34.2184 GWh H�/d
Withdrawal capacity:
34.2184 GWh H�/d

P2G Velke Kapusany electrolyser Production 2024 7.2 GWh/y

H� Infrastructure-Distribution Distribution 2030

H� Collektor Distribution 2026

G2F – Gas To Future (Electrolyser) Production 2024 2.9 GWh/y

H� Backbone WAG+Penta West Transmission 2030 2030: 55 TWh

European Clean Hydrogen Alliance Learnbook on Hydrogen Supply corridors  —  35

 Eastern H₂ supply corridor

Commis-
Project name Category sioning year Capacity Link

SLOH2 backbone Transmission 2035 6 GWh/d

SLOP2G Electrolyser Production 2028 10 MW

Green Hydrogen @ Blue Danube Terminal & port 2024 220 t/d

Flow – Making Hydrogen happen (VIP Brandov) Transmission 2030–2035 240 GWh/d

HyPipe Bavaria – The Hydrogen Hub Transmission 2027–2030 2030: 150 GW/d

The table includes some of the hydrogen projects displayed on the Hydrogen Infrastructure Map, last updated on
30 March 2023.

6.3 SPECIFIC BOTTLENECKS

— Many uncertainties relate to the ongoing war in Ukraine. — High share of nuclear power generation in the energy
Specific issues include the operational state of Ukraine’s mix in the region, and as such very dependent on how
natural gas infrastructure, the speed of economic nuclear is treated in terms of Taxonomy Regulation.
recovery and infrastructure investment and the devel-
opment of a hydrogen market and related supply chains
in Ukraine.

6.4 SPECIFIC RECOMMENDATIONS

— Intensify energy partnerships with exporting countries, — The Hydrogen Bank should consider creating a specific
like Ukraine. funding window for hydrogen production/infrastructure
development in Ukraine (this also fits well with the idea
of reconstruction after war).

36  —  European Clean Hydrogen Alliance Learnbook on Hydrogen Supply corridors

 Southeastern H₂ supply corridor

7 SOUTHEASTERN H₂ CORRIDOR
7.1 POTENTIAL OF THE H₂ CORRIDOR
The major driver behind the development of this hydrogen
corridor is the need to decarbonise industry, transport and
power across Eastern and South-Eastern Europe. This
is specifically relevant for new green steel projects and
existing industry in Greece, Bulgaria, Romania, Hungary,
Slovakia, Croatia, Slovenia, Austria, Czechia towards
Germany.

Due to the vicinity to North Africa and Middle East, the

corridor could in the future facilitate hydrogen imports from
the neighboring countries via shipping or subsea pipeline
transportation. The area offers abundant renewables
potential, due to land availability and high-capacity factors
for solar and onshore wind. Depleted gas fields in Greece,
Czechia, Slovakia, Austria, and salt caverns Germany will be
used to provide a cost-effective hydrogen storage solution.

H₂ SUPPLY AND DEMAND DATA:

Demand data per year

— 2030: 53 TWh

— 2040: 179 TWh

— 2050: 260 TWh

Supply data per year

— 2030: 22.1 TWh

— 2040: 151 TWh

— 2050: 183 TWh

European Clean Hydrogen Alliance Learnbook on Hydrogen Supply corridors  —  37

 Southeastern H₂ supply corridor

7.2 PROJECTS SNAPSHOT

HYDROGEN INFRASTRUCTURE MAP 2030

LEGEND

Transmission Storage Terminals and ports

New New and converted aquifer New
New and conversion Conversion of existing aquifer New and conversion
Conversion of existing infrastructure New depleted field Conversion of existing infrastructure
New and converted depleted field
Distribution Conversion of existing depleted field Demand
New salt cavern
New Demand
New and converted salt cavern
New and conversion
Conversion of existing depleted salt cavern
Conversion of existing infrastructure
New surface storage
Production
Completed
Electrolyser
High pressure distribution
Methane Reforming (SMR/ATR)
Other/no data available

38  —  European Clean Hydrogen Alliance Learnbook on Hydrogen Supply corridors

 Southeastern H₂ supply corridor

HYDROGEN INFRASTRUCTURE MAP 2040

LEGEND

Transmission Storage Terminals and ports

New New and converted aquifer New
New and conversion Conversion of existing aquifer New and conversion
Conversion of existing infrastructure New depleted field Conversion of existing infrastructure
New and converted depleted field
Distribution Conversion of existing depleted field Demand
New salt cavern
New Demand
New and converted salt cavern
New and conversion
Conversion of existing depleted salt cavern
Conversion of existing infrastructure
New surface storage
Production
Completed
Electrolyser
High pressure distribution
Methane Reforming (SMR/ATR)
Other/no data available

European Clean Hydrogen Alliance Learnbook on Hydrogen Supply corridors  —  39

 Southeastern H₂ supply corridor

HYDROGEN INFRASTRUCTURE MAP 2050

LEGEND

Transmission Storage Terminals and ports

New New and converted aquifer New
New and conversion Conversion of existing aquifer New and conversion
Conversion of existing infrastructure New depleted field Conversion of existing infrastructure
New and converted depleted field
Distribution Conversion of existing depleted field Demand
New salt cavern
New Demand
New and converted salt cavern
New and conversion
Conversion of existing depleted salt cavern
Conversion of existing infrastructure
New surface storage
Production
Completed
Electrolyser
High pressure distribution
Methane Reforming (SMR/ATR)
Other/no data available

40  —  European Clean Hydrogen Alliance Learnbook on Hydrogen Supply corridors

 Southeastern H₂ supply corridor

Commis-
Project name Category sioning year Capacity Link

Dedicated H� Pipeline (Bulgaria to Greece) Transmission 2030 70 GWh/d

Dedicated H� Pipeline (Greece to Bulgaria) Transmission 2030 70 GWh/d

Retrofitting of existing Greek Transmission System Transmission 2025 9.967 GWh/d

(Bulgaria to Greece)

Retrofitting of existing Greek Transmission System Transmission 2025 5.5 GWh/d

(Greece to Bulgaria)

South Kavala Underground Gas Storage facility Storage 2029 Injection capacity:
35 GWh/d
Withdrawal capacity:
35 GWh/d

Maritsa East hydrogen ready pipeline Transmission 2026 70 GWh/d

H� transmission system in Bulgaria. Pipline from Transmission 2029 70 GWh/d

the Bulgarian-Greek border (Kulata) and Sofia
region in Bulgaria.

H� transmission system in Bulgaria with Transmission 2040 To be defined and aligned

2 branches to Romania -near Ruse and Kozloduy jointly with the Romanian
operator.

H� transmission system in Bulgaria. Pipeline from Transmission 2040 To be defined and aligned
the Sofia region to Romania, Oltenia region jointly with the Romanian
operator.

Giurgiu – Nodlac corridor modernisation for Transmission 2029 76,8 GWh/d

hydrogen transmission

Central European Hydrogen Corridor project, Transmission 2030 Veľké Kapušany IP:
CEHC SK part 240 GWh/d
Lanžhot IP: 144 GWh/d

H2I-S&D storage Storage 2023

UGS Lab – H� storage Storage 2024 Injection capacity:

2.6 GWh H�/d
Withdrawal capacity:
4.84 GWh H�/d

Underground Gas Storage Velke Kapusany Storage 2025 Storage working volume:
3,122.83 GWh mix of H�
and natural gas
Injection capacity:
34.218 GWh H�/d
Withdrawal capacity:
34.218 GWh H�/d

P2G Velke Kapusany electrolyser Production 2024 7.2 GWh/y

Central European Hydrogen Corridor project, Transmission 2030 144 GWh/d (6 GWh/h)
CEHC, CZ part (Lanžhot-Waidhaus)

European Clean Hydrogen Alliance Learnbook on Hydrogen Supply corridors  —  41

 Southeastern H₂ supply corridor

Commis-
Project name Category sioning year Capacity Link

SK-HU H� corridor Transmission 2030 100 GWh/d

Hydrogen production for fuel gas at Varosfold CS Production 2028 1 MW

H2EU+STORE Transmission & Storage 2030 2030: 2.5 TWh

2040: 40 TWh
2050: 80 TWh

Underground Sun Storage 2030 Storage 2023 Storage working volume:

4.5 GWh H� (assuming one
cycle per year)
Injection capacity:
0.031 GWh H�/d
Withdrawal capacity:
0.048 GWh H�/d

Underground Sun Storage Scale-Up Storage 2030 150 GWh H₂ (assuming one
cycle per year)

Adjustment of existing EUS pipeline SK-HU Transmission 2040 100 GWh/d

H� Backbone Murfeld Transmission 2035 12 TWh

HyPipe Bavaria – The Hydrogen Hub Transmission 2027–2030 2030: 150 GW/d

H2ercules Network South Transmission 2030 Waidhaus IP: 144 GWh/d

The table includes some of the hydrogen projects displayed on the Hydrogen Infrastructure Map, last updated on
30 March 2023.

7.3 SPECIFIC BOTTLENECKS

— The absence of national hydrogen strategies in many of — The lack of parallel networks could also delay the
the countries of the corridor can delay the progress of development of the required infrastructure, since the
the hydrogen market developments in the region. construction of new, dedicated H₂ pipelines will take
more time and most likely they will be more expensive
relative to repurposed pipelines elsewhere in Europe.

7.4 SPECIFIC RECOMMENDATIONS

— Facilitate integrated energy system planning of — Establish strategic hydrogen partnerships between EU
hydrogen, natural gas, and electricity infrastructure and potential exporting countries in North Africa and
supporting the accelerated deployment and integration the Middle East.
of renewable energy resources.
— Develop support mechanism for international hydrogen
— Integrate import considerations in hydrogen infrastruc- projects and transparent certification mechanisms.
ture planning, including port facilities for accepting and
handling hydrogen carriers.

42  —  European Clean Hydrogen Alliance Learnbook on Hydrogen Supply corridors

 Germany

8 
GERMANY – DEMAND DRIVING
ROLE FOR ALL CORRIDORS
8.1 POTENTIAL OF GERMANY AS CENTRAL DEMAND CENTRE
Germany plays a central role in the development of
a European hydrogen economy as all six outlined
corridors are connected directly or indirectly to
German demand centres. The development of the
German domestic hydrogen market has therefore
significant effects on the overall realisation and
speed of the corridors.

Germany’s natural gas system is complex with 16

gas TSOs and 700 DSOs, but it is well organised
and can build on very well-developed gas infra-
structure both on the level of distribution (550,000
km) as well as transmission (25,000 km) that can be
repurposed to transport hydrogen easily to a great
variety of customers.1 Germany has a long experi-
ence in gas conversion processes from town gas to
natural gas and more recently ongoing conversion
from Dutch L-Gas to H-Gas.

In 2030 Germany expects a hydrogen demand be-

tween 95–130 TWh across all sectors. In addition,
current grey hydrogen demand of 55 TWh needs
to be decarbonised. Should prices for fossil ener-
gy carriers remain high, and hydrogen production
costs further decrease, hydrogen demand could
rise quicker and in greater quantity than currently
envisaged. In addition, Germany has the largest
gas storage capacity in the EU and the fourth in
the world, after United States, Russia and Ukraine.
This storage capacity can be gradually repurposed
to provide much-needed hydrogen storage capac-
ity. In addition, several sites for new salt caverns
are available adjacent to existing storage sites. As part of the analysis conducted by European Hydrogen
Flexibility can be further increased in the future Backbone initiative, demand in the middle of Europe
by repurposing LNG import terminals that are (Germany, Benelux, Czechia, Poland, and Austria) will in
currently being set up in Germany for hydrogen and its 2040 exceed supply potential of the region by 440 TWh.
derivatives imports beyond 2030. At the DSO level This underlines the necessity for the region for well-
a national project GTP - Gas distribution Transfor- established import routes and large-volume (underground)
mation Plan was set up. hydrogen storage sites.

1  FNB-Gas Wasserstoffbericht.pdf

European Clean Hydrogen Alliance Learnbook on Hydrogen Supply corridors  —  43

 Germany

8.2 PROJECTS SNAPSHOT

HYDROGEN INFRASTRUCTURE MAP 2030

LEGEND

Transmission Storage Terminals and ports

New New and converted aquifer New
New and conversion Conversion of existing aquifer New and conversion
Conversion of existing infrastructure New depleted field Conversion of existing infrastructure
New and converted depleted field
Distribution Conversion of existing depleted field Demand
New salt cavern
New Demand
New and converted salt cavern
New and conversion
Conversion of existing depleted salt cavern
Conversion of existing infrastructure
New surface storage
Production
Completed
Electrolyser
High pressure distribution
Methane Reforming (SMR/ATR)
Other/no data available

44  —  European Clean Hydrogen Alliance Learnbook on Hydrogen Supply corridors

 Germany

HYDROGEN INFRASTRUCTURE MAP 2040

LEGEND

Transmission Storage Terminals and ports

New New and converted aquifer New
New and conversion Conversion of existing aquifer New and conversion
Conversion of existing infrastructure New depleted field Conversion of existing infrastructure
New and converted depleted field
Distribution Conversion of existing depleted field Demand
New salt cavern
New Demand
New and converted salt cavern
New and conversion
Conversion of existing depleted salt cavern
Conversion of existing infrastructure
New surface storage
Production
Completed
Electrolyser
High pressure distribution
Methane Reforming (SMR/ATR)
Other/no data available

European Clean Hydrogen Alliance Learnbook on Hydrogen Supply corridors  —  45

 Germany

HYDROGEN INFRASTRUCTURE MAP 2050

LEGEND

Transmission Storage Terminals and ports

New New and converted aquifer New
New and conversion Conversion of existing aquifer New and conversion
Conversion of existing infrastructure New depleted field Conversion of existing infrastructure
New and converted depleted field
Distribution Conversion of existing depleted field Demand
New salt cavern
New Demand
New and converted salt cavern
New and conversion
Conversion of existing depleted salt cavern
Conversion of existing infrastructure
New surface storage
Production
Completed
Electrolyser
High pressure distribution
Methane Reforming (SMR/ATR)
Other/no data available

46  —  European Clean Hydrogen Alliance Learnbook on Hydrogen Supply corridors

 Germany

Project name Promoter Project Type Category Capacity Link

Green Octopus ONTRAS Gastransport GmbH Mix: new + conversion of Transmission Entry/exit capacity of
Mitteldeutschland and VNG Gasspeicher GmbH existing infrastructure and storage 84 GWh/d

Nordic-Baltic ONTRAS Gastransport GmbH Newly-built infrastructure Transmission ONTRAS entry:

Hydrogen Corridor – 200 GWh/d
DE section ONTRAS exit:
100 GWh/d

doing hydrogen ONTRAS Gastransport GmbH Mix: new + conversion of Transmission Entry/exit capacity of
existing infrastructure 84 GWh/d

HyPipe Bavaria – bayernets Conversion of existing Transmission 150 GW

The Hydrogen Hub infrastructure

RHYn Interco terranetsBW Conversion of existing Transmission 12 GWh/d

infrastructure and distribu-
tion

H2EU+STORE RAG Austria, Bayerngas, Mix: new + conversion of Integrated 2030: 2.5 TWh
­bayernets, Gas Connect existing infrastructure infrastructure 2040: 40 TWh
­Austria, Eco-Optima, eustream, project
2050: 80 TWh
Nafta, Open Grid Europe,
Gas Transmission System
Operator of Ukraine, Storage
System Operator of Ukraine
­(Ukrtransgaz JSC) and MND

AquaDuctus GASCADE New Transmission 10 GW

FLOW - making GASCADE Mix: new + conversion of Transmission Up to 20 GW

hydrogen happen existing infrastructure

H� Interconnector GASCADE New Transmission Up to 10 GW

Bornholm – Lubmin
(IBL)

HyPerLink I/II Gasunie Energy Development Mix: new + conversion of Transmission 4.080 GW
GmbH existing infrastructure

HyPerLink V Gasunie Energy Development Transmission 3.84 GW

GmbH + Thyssengas

HyPerLink III: Gasunie Energy Development Transmission 8.6 GW

GmbH

HyPerLink IV Gasunie Energy Development Transmission 10 GW

GmbH

H�CAST Etzel Gasunie Energy Development Storage Storage

GmbH + project partners
(STORAG ETZEL, GASUNIE,
DEEP.KBB, DLR, HARTMANN
Valves, SOCON, Clausthal
University of Technology)

GET H� Nowega, OGE, Thyssengas Conversion of existing Transmission

infrastructure/newly built
pipeline

European Clean Hydrogen Alliance Learnbook on Hydrogen Supply corridors  —  47

 Project name Promoter Project Type Category Capacity Link

H2ercules OGE Conversion of existing Transmission

infrastructure

Xanten – Vörde –  Thyssengas Conversion of existing Transmission

Oberhausen infrastructure/newly built
pipeline

Leverkusen – Köln Thyssengas Conversion of existing Transmission

infrastructure/new-built
pipeline

East-West Thyssengas Conversion of existing Transmission

Connection infrastructure/new-built
pipeline

Vlieghuis – Ochtrup Thyssengas Conversion of existing Transmission 2027: 600 MW

infrastructure 2029: 800 MW
2031: 1,300 MW

Clean Hydrogen to Equinor Mix of new and conversion Transmission 4 mt/y

Europe (CHE)

H2.Ruhr EON, Enel and Iberdrola Distribution 80,000 t/y of green H�

& green ammonia

Ammonia Import RWE Supply & Trading GmbH New Terminal & port 300,000 t/y of green NH�
Terminal Brunsbüttel

bp Wilhelmshaven BP Europa SE Mix Terminal & port 54.8 GW/h daily send-out
Green Hydrogen Hub capacity

H2-20 in Schopsdorf Avacon Netz GmbH Conversion of existing Distribution

infrastructure

Hamburg Hydrogen Gasnetz Hamburg GmbH New Distribution 2 GW

Industry Grid (HH-
WIN)

WESTKuSTE100 - Thuga AG/Stadtwerke Heide Mix of new and conversion Distribution

Teilprojekt Gruner GmbH
Heizen

H2-Sauerland Westnetz GmbH Conversion of existing Distribution

infrastructure

H2-Netz Hanshagen E-ON New Distribution

The table includes some of the hydrogen projects displayed on the Hydrogen Infrastructure Map, last updated on
30 March 2023.

48  —  European Clean Hydrogen Alliance Learnbook on Hydrogen Supply corridors

8.3 SPECIFIC BOTTLENECKS
— Overhaul of the energy system in Germany: The the grid level regarding the future tariff design. The
­German energy system is currently undergoing ­major proposal by DENA – very similar to the inter-temporal
changes due to the Russian war against Ukraine Cost allocation mechanism that has been proposed by
with Russian natural gas supplies to Germany having the European Parliament in its position would allow grid
declined sharply. Thus, a change of import and sup- operators to go ahead with their investment.
ply routes occurred on the gas market. In addition to
the diversification of fossil energy sources, the rapid — Regulatory uncertainty at EU level on unbundling to
­conversion to climate-friendly energy sources is the delay investments in Germany: The Hydrogen and Gas
­focus of German and European energy policy. The ramp- decarbonisation package proposed by the European
up of a national and European hydrogen ­market based Commission in December 2021 has added further
on a well-connected onshore and offshore ­hydrogen uncertainty in the German infrastructure market due
infrastructure plays a central role. As 99 % of the indus- to its restrictive unbundling provisions for hydrogen.
trial consumers, power plants and CHP plants and most As numerous countries in Europe, Germany has very
of the decentralised hydrogen production are connected successfully applied the Independent Transmission
to the DSO level it is important that the ­conversion of Operator (ITO) model in its gas and electricity market.
the TSO and DSO go hand-in-hand and are supported The suggested phase-out by the European Commission
by politics. Many industrial end-users are in the south of the ITO model in the hydrogen sector after 2030
and south-west of Germany where the timing of the and the immediate ownership unbundling even for one
backbone might not meet their needs. meter of hydrogen grid at the DSO sector has therefore
triggered severe uncertainties and is delaying much
— Uncertainty at national level on H₂ planning and tariff needed final investment decisions by infrastructure
framework: Lack of clarity for many investments at operators.

8.4 SPECIFIC RECOMMENDATIONS

The legal and regulatory conditions need to be set as — The potential of current infrastructure operators for
quickly as possible to allow current infrastructure opera- hydrogen can be unleashed by not imposing any legal
tors to start repurposing their assets to hydrogen. separation obligations (horizontal unbundling).

Set-up of an adequate overall regulatory framework, — Distinction between distribution and transmission
­c onsidering the German specificity of fully private- needed. Germany has clear rules on tasks and contracts
ly-owned network operators: of each infrastructure level and without the separation
DSO will bound by the European network codes and not
— Providing coherent rules for hydrogen network opera- anymore by the German rules.
tors to ensure hydrogen for public supply. Set-up a coherent network and storage development
framework at national level
— Allocating risks fairly to address investors’ and custom-
ers’ concerns in the hydrogen scale-up phase. — Introducing a legally binding integrated network
­development planning process for all gases (hydrogen
— Ensuring the refinancing for network operators in an and methane).
adequate manner and providing for cost-competitive
network fees in the initial scale up phase. The proposal — Giving the TSOs and the SSOs the mandate to build
of the DENA for the temporal cost allocation method and operate a start backbone-network for hydrogen,
that has been included in the European parliament’s referred to the analysis of strategic production and
position provides could be one option. demand centres within Germany without further delay.

— Applying pragmatic unbundling rules for the hydrogen — Introducing instruments to optimise the localisation of
sector. At the TSO level the ITO unbundling model has power-to-gas facilities as well as hydrogen-fired power
worked very successfully in Germany in the past in plants by providing an adequate incentive regime.
electricity and gas and should also be applied in the — Integration of Gas distribution Transformation Plan into
hydrogen sector. The DSO unbundling rules have been the hydrogen planning.
implemented very strictly by the regulator and have
enabled intense competition across the country even — Implement the local heating and cooling plans as a basis
in every smallest grids. of the investment decisions in the cities and regions.

European Clean Hydrogen Alliance Learnbook on Hydrogen Supply corridors  —  49

9 GENERAL BOTTLENECKS AND
RECOMMENDATIONS
During the discussion with the stakeholders several bottlenecks and recommendations were
identified that had a horizontal character, influencing the development of all the ­respective
H₂ supply corridors identified. To provide a holistic picture, these general bottlenecks and
recommendations are addressed in this dedicated chapter.

9.1 GENERAL BOTTLENECKS

— Missing clear regulatory framework: — Concerns over societal acceptance for new energy
carriers’ projects.
» Gas/H₂ Decarbonisation Package to be finalised,
— Missing incentives for off-takers – lack of clear targets
» M issing H₂ standards which could delay the H₂ and financial support (funding).
production development and the H₂ infrastructure
deployment, — Missing availability of workforce.

» Concerns regarding proposed TPA rules for import — Overview of full value chain for every commercial party
terminals under the Gas Package proposal, is difficult.

» Missing certification scheme for Hydrogen imports, — Missing clear and coordinated action at EU level and
national governments on infrastructure planning &
» Overcomplicated permit granting procedure, development.

» Unbundling rules - Unbundling rules should facilitate — Missing alignment at Member State level on the hydro-
the efficient conversion by the TSO to foster develop- gen market organisation target, which risks not seeing
ment of new and repurposed hydrogen infrastructure. a deep and secure liquid market emerge by 2030, and
instead seeing national or even territorial H₂ islands.
— Missing leadership for the purchasing of hydrogen There is a lack of funding opportunities and financing
abroad (EU level or member state level). for infrastructure. Short-term financing capacity of pri-
vate actors is not up to the ambitions of REPowerEU
— Missing Technology openness: All types of CO₂ neu- by 2050.
tral and green hydrogen (water electrolysis, methane
electrolysis/pyrolysis, SMR+CCUS etc.) will be needed — The technical elements of transporting hydrogen might
for the energy transition and should be considered in be also considered as potential bottlenecks if not prop-
production, infrastructure planning and funding. erly addressed.

50  —  European Clean Hydrogen Alliance Learnbook on Hydrogen Supply corridors

9.2 GENERAL RECOMMENDATIONS
— The development of production, transmission and — Leadership required for the purchasing of hydrogen
storage infrastructure must take place simultaneously. abroad (EU level or member state level), specifically
Especially large volume underground H₂ storage helps need for EU to aggregate offtake and enter into bilateral
market participants to purchase in larger volumes, more agreements with third countries
flexibly and cheaper. Here, an infrastructure develop-
ment must therefore be advanced quickly. — Unlock EU and national financing:

— Need for clear and stable EU legislation needed for » To fast-track hydrogen infrastructure corridors
investor certainty: deployment (e.g. ring-fencing specific funds for H₂
corridors in EU funding programmes; aligning IPCEI
» Need for light regime and long-term security, with process with the H₂ corridors, etc.)
easy and applicable regulation as well as possible
transition period » Need for early financing which gives the possibility to
design the necessary network in the right size from
» Ensure a regulatory regime for DSOs which ensures the beginning, not based on current production/needs
the most efficient transition of gas infrastructures but what we foresee in 2030, 2040 and 2050
with the same unbundling rules for hydrogen than
for the natural gas networks — Intensify energy partnerships with exporting coun-
tries providing financing support to reduce the cost of
» Simplify, shorten and accelerate planning and permit- capital in export countries, need for public-private &
ting procedures for the full value chain of renewable private-private partnerships on concrete projects
energies and hydrogen infrastructure projects to meet
2030 ambitions. — Give space for innovation and competition for market
players (avoid overregulation)
» E stablish integrated energy system planning of
hydrogen and natural gas infrastructure, based on — Societal acceptance for new energy carriers is key. (EU
shared energy scenarios covering also the electricity and in export countries)
sector
— Incentives for off-takers with technology open approach
» Implement a robust hydrogen certification scheme for
hydrogen imports operational by the end of 2023 the — Different options and technologies to import and ex-
latest to provide clarity for exporting countries change hydrogen and derivatives

» Support and facilitate the import of blending/pure — Insert specific references of GO importance for H₂
hydrogen from third countries development, including blending, and the key role of
a GO framework harmonised across Member States
— Simultaneous planning and implementation of H₂ as well as their key partners in the identified corridors
storages along the H₂ import corridors. H₂ storages (North Africa, Ukraine, non-EU Northern countries such
will be needed to enhance SoS by providing seasonal as UK and Norway).
balancing as well as more short-term flexibility services.
Both in the transition period and in a fully CO₂-neutral
world, there will be a need for both H₂ production and H₂
customer storages.

European Clean Hydrogen Alliance Learnbook on Hydrogen Supply corridors  —  51

10 CONCLUSION
This ‘Learnbook’ has attempted to bring some concreteness, specificity, and tangibility to
the conceptual framework of hydrogen corridors outlined by the European Commission in
its’ REPowerEU Action Plan. The final product represents the combined efforts of all those
involved in the Roundtable, with the project data being provided by the Members of the
Roundtable, and the co-chairs and facilitating organisation having synthesised it into a
useable amalgamated form.

It is clear from the data presented herein that there is Individual corridors have inherent regional and national
a ­s ignificant established and growing momentum for nuances associated with their physical geography, but the
­d elivering on the European Commission's vision for international collaboration of parties required to d ­ eliver
the transmission, distribution and storage of hydrogen pan-European network infrastructure has ­invariably
within the EU and the wider neighbourhood regions. encouraged promoters to call for a pan-European
Most projects p ­ resented in the document are quite ma- ­harmonisation of the approach to governance and support.
ture, with a ­relatively well elaborated set of corridors This is needed as pertains to funds and regulation that
to be c­ ommissioned already before 2030. This is very have a pan-European or cross-border scope (e.g. IPCEI or
­positive news for the sector, and the signals of intent and interoperability issues), but there are also consistent calls
­willingness are clear. to leverage cooperation for strategic ends, for example
joint purchasing or the signature of partnerships with third
Nevertheless, the data and input collection process for this countries.
Learnbook also clarified structural issues with the buildout
of the corridors that are fundamentally at odds with the The Transmission and Distribution Roundtable has proven
scale and timeline envisaged. The Learnbook delineates a valuable base for collaboration amongst actors involved
specific barriers corresponding to given corridors, but the in the build out of value chains for connecting r­ enewable
most consistently voiced concerns pertained to three and low-carbon hydrogen production with demand
cross-cutting issues. (i) Prolonged regulatory uncertainty ­centres. Hopefully the Learnbook can be a useful evolving
and complexity, (ii) financing limitations and ­complexity reference point for the realisation of Europe’s hydrogen
relative to global competitors, and (iii) administrative corridors moving forward, a crucial precursor to a European
­timelines that are incompatible with strategic timelines. hydrogen economy.
Overcoming these sticking points is key to creating
the ­critical mass required to realise the ambitions of an
­initiative of this nature.

52  —  European Clean Hydrogen Alliance Learnbook on Hydrogen Supply corridors

ABBREVIATIONS
BE – Belgium L-Gas – Low calorific gas

CBA – Cost Benefit Analysis H-Gas – High calorific gas

CBCA – Cross Border Cost Allocation LH₂ – Liquid Hydrogen

CEDEC – European Federation of Local and LNG – Liquified Natural Gas

Regional Energy Companies
MO – Morocco
CEF – Connecting Europe Facility
MoU – Memorandum of Understanding
CHP – Combined heat and power
Mt – Megatonne
CH₂ – Methylene
Mt/y – Megatonne per year
CO₂ – Carbon Dioxide
MTPA H₂ – Million Tonnes per annum
DE – Germany
MW – Megawatt
DENA – German Energy Agency
NGO – Non-governmental organisation
DG GROW – The Directorate General for Internal Market,
Industry, Entrepreneurship and SMEs NH₃ – Ammonia

DZ – Algeria NL – The Netherlands

DSO – Distribution System Operator OGE – Open Grid Europe

ECH2A – The European Clean Hydrogen Alliance PCI – Projects of Common Interest

EHB – European Hydrogen Backbone PT – Portugal

ES – Spain R&I – Research & Innovation

FR – France RES – Renewable Energy Sources

GD4S – Gas Distributors for Sustainability SMR/ATR – Steam methane reforming/

Autothermal Reforming
GIE – Gas Infrastructure Europe
t/d – Tonnes per day
GWh – Gigawatt hours
t/y – Tonnes per year
GWh/d – Gigawatt hours per day
TWh – Terawatt-hour
GWh/y – Gigawatt hours per year
TWh/y – Terawatt-hours per year
GO – Guarantee of Origin
TPA – Third Party Access
H₂ – Hydrogen
TSO – Transmission System Operator
HVV – Higher Heating Value
TYNDP – Ten-Year Network Development Plan
IPCEI – Important Projects of Common European Interest

ITO – Independent Transmission Operator

European Clean Hydrogen Alliance Learnbook on Hydrogen Supply corridors  —  53

IMPRINT

PUBLISHER DESIGN
European Clean Hydrogen Alliance – Roundtable for DreiDreizehn GmbH, Berlin
Hydrogen Transmission and Distribution www.313.de

SUPPORTED PICTURES
by the European Commission iStock.com
Directorate-General for Internal Market,
Industry, Entrepreneurship and SMEs

54  —  European Clean Hydrogen Alliance Learnbook on Hydrogen Supply corridors

H₂