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
Also in this section
9 March 2026
Hydrogen has not stalled in the UK because the technology does not work. The problem is that the system around it does not yet move at the speed required
4 March 2026
Turmoil in Middle East reminds nascent clean hydrogen sector that its future prospects are dependent on global energy markets and geopolitics
25 February 2026
Low-carbon hydrogen and ammonia development is advancing much more slowly and unevenly than once expected, with high costs and policy uncertainty thinning investment. Meanwhile, surging energy demand is reinforcing the role of natural gas and LNG as the backbone of the global energy system, panellists at LNG2026 said
18 February 2026
Norwegian energy company has dropped a major hydrogen project and paused its CCS expansion plans as demand fails to materialise






