H2 Energy Europe and German transmission system operator (TSO) Ontras have agreed to explore transporting hydrogen from a planned 1GW plant in Denmark through the German hydrogen core network (HCN) to industrial customers.
Under a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), the pair plan to determine the technical and commercial requirements of bringing green hydrogen from H2 Energy’s Esbjerg plant to chemical, steel and power customers in Rostock, Berlin, Leipzig and Eisenhüttenstadt.
If successful, the companies could use Onstras’ Green Octopus Mitteldeutschland (GO!) pipeline project – a 300km network connecting the industrial regions which secured EU funding – and Germany’s 9,700km HCN.
Ontras, alongside its parent company EnBW, submitted a joint application to establish the HCN, estimating an investment of around €1bn.
Read more: EnBW commits €1bn to hydrogen pipeline projects in Germany
“This agreement perfectly symbolises our dedication to creating a comprehensive hydrogen backbone for Europe,” said Ralph Bahke, ONTRAS Managing Director Controlling and Development.
With big ambitions for hydrogen consumption, the German Government, under its new hydrogen import strategy, expects 50-70% of its 95-130TWh per year 2030 demand to be met by imports.
H2 Energy Europe’s 1GW Esbjerg plant received environmental approval in January, bringing it closer to final investment decision (FID) and hydrogen production start-up by 2028.
Read more:1GW Danish green hydrogen project granted environmental approval
Cyril Cabanes, CEO of H2 Energy Europe, said, “By linking our planned 1GW green hydrogen production project in Denmark with Ontras’ robust gas transport network in Germany, we plan to contribute to the development of an integrated, reliable hydrogen economy that spans Europe.”
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