EHB presents five potential hydrogen corridors to achieve Europe’s hydrogen goals by 2030

Nordion Energi is part of the European Hydrogen Backbone (EHB) External link, opens in new window., an initiative to accelerate Europe’s emission goal by defining infrastructure for hydrogen transport across Europe. Nordion Energi and Gasgrid Finland’s Nordic Hydrogen Route initiative is part of this vision. To develop a cross-border hydrogen infrastructure around the Gulf of Bothnia in order to efficiently transport energy from producers to consumers and ensure that they have access to an open, reliable and safe hydrogen market in the region.

In order to achieve the goals by 2030 and satisfy the supply and demand for hydrogen confirmed by the External link, opens in new window. REPowerEU Plan, EHB is planning five large-scale pipeline corridors. The corridors will initially link domestic local supply and demand, before expanding and connecting European regions and neighbouring countries, with the potential for low-cost hydrogen exports.

According to the EHB report, which was published last week, the corridors will be an important part of creating a cost-efficient solution to transport large volumes of hydrogen at a low cost. The five corridors will cover both domestic and imported supply markets, in line with the three import corridors identified by the latest REPowerEU Plan.

The corridor analysis has identified that there is sufficient hydrogen supply to achieve the EU’s goals defined for 2030 for domestic supply, which in turn contributes to European energy independence and security of supply. The EHB has also identified 12 Mt (~400 TWh) of potential hydrogen supply in the EU, exceeding the domestic REPowerEU goal of 10 Mt of green hydrogen by 2030.

The five hydrogen corridors are:

• Corridor A: North Africa & Southern Europe
• Corridor B: South West Europe & North Africa
• Corridor C: North Sea
• Corridor D: Nordic & Baltic regions
• Corridor E: Eastern and South East Europe

Please note that these five corridors are compatible with the REPowerEU Plan and its three import corridors, including an import corridor via the Mediterranean (corridors An and B), via the North Sea (corridor C) and via Ukraine (corridor E).

To ensure the development of these corridors by 2030, the EEA believes that speed is of the essence and action is needed now. Five key concrete actions:

1. Promote the development of new and reused hydrogen infrastructure
2. Funding to accelerate the expansion of hydrogen infrastructure
3. Simplify and shorten planning and licensing procedures
4. Intensify energy partnerships with exporting non-EHB countries
5. Facilitate integrated energy system planning

Read the full report here External link, opens in new window.

European Hydrogen Backbone

The EHB aims to accelerate Europe’s emission goals by defining the role of hydrogen infrastructure – based on existing and new pipelines – to enable the development of a competitive European market for renewable and green hydrogen. This initiative aims to promote market competition, security of supply and cross-border cooperation between European countries and their neighbours. The EHB initiative will continue to discuss its vision with stakeholders, including decision-makers, companies and initiatives along the hydrogen value chain.