Hydrogen Corridor to Connect Africa and Europe by 2030

A joint letter of political support for a “southern hydrogen corridor” has been signed by the ministries for Energy of Italy, Austria, and Germany.

Known as SoutH₂, the 3.300km dedicated hydrogen-ready pipeline corridor will bring hydrogen produced in North Europe to European consumers.

Accompanying infrastructure projects will also obtain the status of Project of Common Interest according to the joint letter.

Italy’s gas infrastructure operator Snam, Trans Austria Gasleitung, Gas Connect Austria, and bayernets in Germany welcome the political support. They have partnered to develop the corridor, which will guarantee security of hydrogen supply to Europe and is crucial for the creating of an interconnected hydrogen backbone.

The corridor is estimated to deliver 40% of the REPowerEU import target due to its hydrogen import capacity of over 4 million tonnes per annum.

The SoutH₂ Corridor is expected to be fully operational by 2030 and consists of individual PCI project candidates including “Italian H2 Backbone” promoted by Snam Rete Gas; “H2 Readiness of the TAG pipeline system” promoted by Trans Austria Gasleitung GmbH; “H2 Backbone WAG + Penta-West” promoted by Gas Connect Austria GmbH and “HyPipe Bavaria – The Hydrogen Hub” promoted by bayernets GmbH.