Nordic Hydrogen Route Progresses – Public consultations Planned from November

The Nordic Hydrogen Route project, which aims to enable a hydrogen market through hydrogen infrastructure in northern Sweden and Finland, is progressing. The project is currently carrying out feasibility studies, and as part of this work, consultations are planned in 11 municipalities starting in November.

- Hydrogen is an important component of Sweden’s future energy system. With the help of hydrogen infrastructure, hydrogen production can take place in locations with favorable conditions, enabling efficient and secure supply of green hydrogen to both existing and new Swedish industries. Hydrogen infrastructure complements the electricity grid, resulting in a more efficient and robust system, says Caroline Bertlin, CEO of Nordion Energi H2.

Nordion Energi, together with Gasgrid Finland, is leading the Nordic Hydrogen Route project to develop a regional hydrogen infrastructure along the coast of the Gulf of Bothnia, from Vaasa to Örnsköldsvik, with a branch line to Kiruna. The project has been designated as a Project of Common Interest by the European Commission, and in 2025 it was granted €29.4 million in support from the EU’s Connecting Europe Facility (CEF Energy), endorsed by the Swedish and Finnish governments. The funding covers the feasibility and basic design phases.

Nordion Energi has initiated the permitting processes and will soon conduct consultations along the proposed route. In parallel, other aspects will also be explored, such as route and technology options, market design principles, and continued dialogue with future users of the infrastructure.

The development of the Nordic Hydrogen Route aligns closely with the Swedish government’s regional strategy (June 2024) and Svenska Kraftnät’s assignment and report (August 2025) concerning coordinated planning of electricity and hydrogen infrastructure. In its report, Svenska Kraftnät concludes “that a conceptual vision including both electricity and hydrogen infrastructure provides the best conditions to meet the energy delivery needs resulting from the extensive electrification of existing and new industries in Norrbotten and Västerbotten counties.” The development is also supported by the Swedish Energy Markets Inspectorate’s proposal for a new Gas Market Act (June 2025).

- There is a long-term need for hydrogen infrastructure, and work on the Nordic Hydrogen Route continues to move forward to meet that need, says Caroline Bertlin, CEO of Nordion Energi H2.

Co-funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the authors only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or The European Climate, Infrastructure and Environment Executive Agency (CINEA). Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.