New H2Med Corridor alliance to advance European hydrogen single market

Companies from France, Germany, Portugal and Spain have created an alliance for the H2Med Southwestern Hydrogen Corridor to advance the European hydrogen single market by connecting hydrogen production, storage and consumption projects.

As informed, the alliance, which is said to align with European targets such as the European Green Deal, aims to accelerate the implementation of the H2Med Corridor by the early 2030s, thereby driving the decarbonization of industrial sectors.

Besides H2Med, the focus will be on pipeline projects such as HY-FEN. Reportedly, members will collaborate to drive the hydrogen economy, connecting infrastructure and ensuring alignment through regular meetings. To note, both H2Med and HY-FEN are recognized as EU Projects of Common Interest (PCI).

The alliance includes thyssenkrupp nucera, CIP, DH2, Elyse Energy, Enagas, GRTgaz, HDF, Hynamics, Moeve, OGE, QAIR, REN, SEFE, SHS, Terega and thyssenkrupp Steel Europe.

Werner Ponikwar, CEO of thyssenkrupp nucera, commented: “A consistent and swift expansion of infrastructure is essential for the ramp-up of the hydrogen economy, as project developers depend on timely completion to make final investment decisions.”

“Our alliance unites the strengths of leading European companies to drive the energy transition by connecting supply and demand, scaling production capacities, and establishing a trans-European hydrogen ecosystem. This supports the decarbonization of hard-to-abate industries and other sectors like aviation, maritime, and heavy transport while ensuring Europe’s energy security and competitiveness. As thyssenkrupp nucera, we leverage our technological capabilities to bring this vision to life.”

In related news, transmission system operators (TSOs) involved in the H2med project, launched a non-binding Call for Interest to identify the needs of future infrastructure users along the corridor.

Interested stakeholders are invited to submit their input regarding the consumption, production and/or marketing of renewable hydrogen along the H2med corridor via the dedicated platform.

The call will run until December 18, 2024, and H2med plans to share the results with stakeholders in the first quarter of 2025.

To note, this €2.5 billion project is a transnational effort to connect the hydrogen networks of the Iberian Peninsula to those of France, Germany and the whole of North-West Europe, enabling Europe to be supplied with affordable, renewable hydrogen by 2030.