The joint project of the European transmission system operators (TSOs), Nordic-Baltic Hydrogen Corridor (NBHC), in which Finland, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland and Ontras Gastransport GmbH (ONTRAS) are involved, is being funded with around 6.8 million euros as part of the EU Connecting Europe Facility (CEF) programme, according to an announcement on 5 February. This is intended to significantly advance the development of a European H2 infrastructure.
„We welcome the European Commission's decision to grant us this substantial amount for the further development of the NBHC“, said Gunar Schmidt, Ontras Managing Director Operations and Safety. „This is proof of the importance of the project for the future of a clean and secure energy supply for the European Member States. We are pleased that we can continue to drive forward this project of European significance“.
The CEF funding will be used to carry out feasibility studies in the participating countries, focusing on key aspects such as pipeline route planning, compressor stations, economic analyses, environmental and safety approvals. This also includes a detailed implementation schedule, which should be available by the end of 2026.
The NBHC is supported by the six European gas network operators mentioned above. It is considered an important step in the decarbonisation of the energy system and is intended to support the EU decarbonisation targets through the integration of renewable H2 in several member states. This could save up to 37 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent per year by 2050. The project also aims to strengthen and secure the energy supply and promote decarbonisation, particularly in the steel and chemical industries.
(Quelle: Ontras Gastransport GmbH)
