Call for Market Interest: Cross-Border Hydrogen Transport Infrastructure Between France and Belgium

GRTgaz and Fluxys hydrogen, a subsidiary of Fluxys Belgium, announced the launch of a market call to assess the needs and economic interest in creating an ‘open access’ hydrogen transport infrastructure between France and Belgium.

This 150-kilometer network would aim to connect the industrial port area of Dunkirk to the industrial zones of Ghent and Antwerp. The call for expressions of interest will be open from October 16 to November 29, 2024.

Interconnected hydrogen networks at the European level

The French and Belgian energy infrastructure companies GRTgaz and Fluxys Hydrogen are positioning themselves as major players in the future interconnected hydrogen networks at the European level.

Pipelines connecting three major industrial ports of the North Sea (Dunkirk, Ghent, and Antwerp) are creating a hydrogen transport network, marking an important step in the structuring of a hydrogen transport network in Northwestern Europe.

These large industrial-port areas, characterised by heavy industries such as steel, refining, and chemicals, face significant decarbonisation challenges.

They are currently developing numerous projects for producing and consuming green and decarbonised hydrogen, which are essential levers in achieving European carbon neutrality goals.

The first projects for local hydrogen transport networks in these clusters are under study for progressive commissioning by 2030. On the French side, GRTgaz is developing the DHUNE network at the Port of Dunkirk. On the Belgian side, Fluxys Hydrogen is progressing to complete the first infrastructure by 2026.

A 150 km shared cross-border infrastructure

In response to growing market demands, GRTgaz and Fluxys Hydrogen propose a 150 km shared cross-border infrastructure. This infrastructure will ensure connectivity between these three major industrial hubs, guaranteeing flexibility and supply diversity to all industries wishing to connect.

This call for market interest aims to consider the market’s future needs. It is an essential prerequisite for the realisation of this European interconnection, which the European Commission labeled a Project of Common Interest in 2024.

Sandrine Meunier, CEO of GRTgaz: “We are proud of this collaboration with our long-standing partner Fluxys. We are convinced that the future of renewable and low-carbon hydrogen relies on infrastructures capable of transporting and storing large quantities of hydrogen, connecting production sites to consumption areas, both nationally and across Europe.

“This initiative is fully in line with our vision of building a European hydrogen market and contributing to the decarbonisation of our economy.”

Pascal De Buck, CEO and Managing Director of Fluxys: “Fluxys intends to develop the necessary hydrogen infrastructure so that it is available when the industry needs it.

“This new collaboration with GRTgaz, a trusted partner of Fluxys for many years, aims to create a cross-border network between Belgium and France and is fully in line with our global approach to contributing to the construction of key infrastructure for the decarbonisation of Northwestern Europe.”