Energinet has pushed back its plans to construct a hydrogen pipeline connecting Denmark and Germany from 2028 to 2031.
The Danish state-owned transmission system operator (TSO) said that despite “large potential” for the infrastructure, projects with “significantly different degrees of maturity” forced it to delay the development.
© Energinet
Originally planned to be operational by 2028, the development intends to carry green hydrogen produced in Denmark’s clusters around Fredericia, Esbjerg and Holstebro, into Germany and beyond, feeding into the European Hydrogen Backbone.
The TSO cited changes in “user pledges,” increased complexity and a longer planning and environmental process, as reasons for its decision.
Danish Climate, Energy and Supply Minister, Lars Aagaard, said, “The timeline now presented to us is not what we expected, and it comes with great risks. It is not satisfactory.
“We have therefore initiated work with a view to making Energinet’s schedule more secure and limiting the delay.”
The ministry said it aims to see the first section of the hydrogen pipeline, with a connection to Germany, commissioned in 2031.
Industry players planning large-scale hydrogen production in Denmark had previously praised the pipeline’s development.
Jacob Krogsgaard, CEO and Founder of Everfuel, previously said, “Critical and competitive hydrogen infrastructure is vital for Denmark to fully deliver on our unique potential. At Everfuel, we will be ready to supply large volumes of hydrogen into the pipeline network to domestic and international end-users.”
It comes just weeks after Equinor scrapped its plans to export blue hydrogen produced in Norway to Germany via pipelines, citing insufficient demand, inadequate regulatory framework and high prices.
Read more:Norway’s Equinor scraps plans to export blue hydrogen to Germany
Germany expects up to 70% of its low-carbon hydrogen demand in 2030 to be met through imports. Under its dedicated import strategy released this year, the government suggested pipelines could support most of its imports.
