According to Bloomberg reports, Germany will invest €19 billion in a hydrogen network. The infrastructure, which will be ready by 2032, aims to connect industrial areas and replace fossil fuels and will be made in its 60% by converting existing gas pipelines. The network will span 9040 kilometers, and the first pipelines will be operative from next year.
This commitment comes despite recent setbacks, including the scrapping of a plan to bring blue hydrogen—produced from natural gas—from Norway to Germany. Officials said that most of the country’s hydrogen needs will initially covered through imports.
The project’s scope and potential impact on cross-border energy cooperation make it a pivotal development in shaping the future of sustainable energy in Europe. In the future, national hydrogen networks will be linked, easing hydrogen transit and interconnectivity. The German network will ultimately connect to the Dutch one.
The Delta Rhine corridor
One such example of the importance of interconnectivity in hydrogen projects is the Delta Rhine Corridor project. This pipeline will stretch from the border near Venlo to the port of Rotterdam, a future critical hub for hydrogen imports and storage for Europe.
Last June, former energy minister Jetten informed the House of Representatives about the initiative’s status. He announced that the project would continue through a joint project procedure, which would delay its realization. This announcement was received with disappointment by Hynetwork, which is responsible for the construction of the Dutch hydrogen network.
The integration of hydrogen networks between Germany and the Netherlands promises economic and environmental benefits. For Germany, given the necessary initial reliance on imports, the network facilitates reducing fossil fuel reliance, which aligns with its climate goals. For the Netherlands, the partnership provides access to the hydrogen market, fostering innovation and economic growth.
Prospects for a European hydrogen network
Despite the promising outlook, challenges remain in realizing this hydrogen vision. Infrastructure development, regulatory alignment, and securing funding are critical hurdles that both nations must address. However, these challenges also present opportunities for innovation, policy reform, and public-private partnerships.
The EU’s hydrogen strategy put forward a framework to foster the uptake of renewable and low-carbon hydrogen in the bloc. By 2030, the goal is to produce 10 million tonnes and import 10 million tonnes.
The state of the Dutch hydrogen network
In late 2023, Gasunie, through its subsidiary Hynetwork, started the construction of the Dutch hydrogen network. This infrastructure uses existing natural gas conduits and new pipelines to connect five of the country’s leading industrial clusters, and it foresees interconnections with Belgium and Germany.
As the final plan is yet to come, the network is expected to be available by 2030 in four areas: the North of the Netherlands—with border connections to Germany—the North Sea Canal Area, Rotterdam, and the Southwest Netherlands—including a link to Belgium.
Wider impact
Undoubtedly, Germany’s €19 billion hydrogen network can represent a catalyst for change in the European energy landscape. The project can also open up many possibilities for the development of a Dutch hydrogen economy, with the possibility of accessing a wider market and establishing cross-border hydrogen flows and international synergies. The fate of this project will tell much about the development of a European hydrogen economy.
