Germany greenlights €19B hydrogen network to lead energy shift
Germany has approved plans to build a hydrogen network valued at 19 billion euros, according to Bloomberg. The total length of the planned transmission network is approximately 9,040 kilometres. It is expected to be fully operational by 2032.
"Europe’s biggest economy wants to cut carbon emissions 65% by 2030 to reach net zero by 2045, five years earlier than the European Union," reports Bloomberg.
German officials recognize that imports will need to meet most of Germany's hydrogen demand. In the approved plans, the length of the planned transmission network was reduced by about 600 kilometres, lowering the investment cost from 19.7 billion euros to 18.9 billion euros. Klaus Mueller, head of the Federal Network Agency, mentioned that some initial plans would be unnecessary.
More hydrogen pipelines in Europe
As much as 60 percent of the future hydrogen network will be converted from existing gas pipelines. Mueller stated that about 660 kilometres of current gas connections will be reinforced, costing 2 billion euros. The first pipelines are expected to be launched next year.
This is another hydrogen infrastructure construction project. The hydrogen pipeline from Finland to Germany, through Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, and Poland, is set to be one of the first such cross-border projects in Europe.
According to the preliminary feasibility study for the Nordic-Baltic Hydrogen Corridor (NBHC) project, the planned pipe diameter is approximately 1.2 metres, and several compressor stations will be located along the 2,500-kilometre section. The project has been placed on the EU's list of priority investments.
The construction of the hydrogen corridor is part of the energy transition and decarbonization of the EU economy, where hydrogen will be one of the key fuels.
