Engineering and environmental studies launched for EU’s first hydrogen corridor

The European first major hydrogen corridor, the so-called H2Med project comprised of hydrogen interconnection between Portugal and Spain and a subsea pipeline connecting Spain and France (BarMar), is entering the next phase of its development with contracts for preliminary engineering and environmental impact studies in place.

Transmission system operators (TSOs) and developing partners of the BarMar project Enagás, GRTgaz, and Teréga, in coordination with OGE, have contracted the Wood company to conduct the preliminary engineering studies, perform the analysis of route alternatives and select the corridor of the BarMar project.

The scope of work includes analyzing the various potential routes for the offshore pipeline to connect Barcelona to Marseille across the Mediterranean Sea. The comprehensive evaluation will help identify a preferred corridor for BarMar and will consider technical, economic, environmental, and societal perspectives.

Additionally, the societal and environmental studies were launched and will be conducted by Tecnoambiente, supported by Francom and Natural Power.

The H2med project is a transnational initiative aimed at connecting the hydrogen networks of the Iberian Peninsula with those in Northwest Europe. Its goal is to enable Europe to be supplied with affordable, renewable hydrogen by 2030.

The €2.5 billion project was launched in October 2022 by the President of the Government of Spain, the President of France, and the Prime Minister of Portugal. In October 2023, German transmission system operator OGE joined Enagás, GRTgaz, and Teréga on a quest to develop the H2Med.

On 28 November 2023, the European Commission selected the H2med project to be included on the list of Projects of Common Interest (PCI).