Nordic-Baltic Hydrogen Corridor project moves forward

Gas transmission system operators (TSOs) of Finland, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland and Germany are starting the feasibility studies on the Nordic-Baltic Hydrogen Corridor (NBHC).

As disclosed, these studies, expected to run until mid-2026, will focus on aspects such as pipeline routing, compressor stations planning, financial and economic analysis, environmental and safety permitting issues, as well as investigations on an implementation timeline.

In addition to the feasibility assessments, the TSOs aim to complete several cross-border analyses to further substantiate the NBHC planning on an overall project level based on the outcomes  from the aforementioned studies. These analyses, expected to run until the end of 2026, are said to involve project coordination, technical and commercial alignment, as well as customer and stakeholder engagement.

“We are thrilled to expedite this important collaboration and to make such good progress on the realization of the NBHC project. Not only has this project the potential to significantly reduce carbon emissions of the participating countries, but it can also promote business growth and support the ramp-up of a completely new hydrogen economy in Europe,” the partners stated.

Before the feasibility studies are set to commence, the TSOs will conduct a joint commercial principles study that will investigate the preliminary principles for a cross-border cost allocation. Reportedly, its goal is also to develop mutually suitable principles of commercial and revenue models (tariff models) to ensure financial viability for all involved TSOs.   

“Together, these thorough analyses will build a path towards NBHC’s progression as a safe, reliable and cost-efficient transport route for renewable hydrogen connected to the future European hydrogen network in Central Europe,” the TSOs claimed.

To note, the NBHC is a joint project of six European TSOs: Finland’s Gasgrid Vetyverkot Oy, Estonia’s Elering, Latvia’s Conexus Baltic Grid, Lithuania’s Amber Grid, Poland’s GAZ-SYSTEM, as well as Germany’s ONTRAS.  

The corridor will support the European Union’s (EU’s) decarbonization targets by integrating renewable hydrogen across six member states. It could reduce carbon emissions by up to 37 million tons of CO2 equivalent per year by 2050, the involved partners pointed out, adding that it will enhance energy security and supply diversity in the region and Europe, connecting indigenous renewable hydrogen production to existing and new demand centers​, as well as contribute to the decarbonization of hard-to-abate sectors.    

The NBHC was granted the status of the Project of Common Interest (PCI) by the European Commission as part of the ‘Baltic Energy Market Interconnection Plan for Hydrogen’ (BEMIP Hydrogen) in April 2024, the completion of the pre-feasibility study was announced in September 2024, and in October 2024, the TSOs applied for Connecting Europe Facility (CEF) funding with results expected in Q1 2025.