European grids double down on hydrogen network plan

Mass repurposing of natural gas grids could create competitive hydrogen transmission system

Europe has the potential to develop a hydrogen pipeline network connecting 21 countries that would enable imports from Ukraine, North Africa, Norway and Russia by 2040, according to a group of 23 natural gas transmission operators. Development of the 40,000km European Hydrogen Backbone (EHB) would cost €43-81bn ($51-97bn), with about 70pc of the network based on the use of repurposed natural gas grids. “Economically plausible vision for dedicated hydrogen infrastructure exists” Muthmann, Open Grid Europe The scope of the EHB project has expanded since July last year, when the group initially identified a potential network of 23,000km covering ten countries. A pan-European hydrogen in