Italy, Austria and Germany have taken a significant step towards importing hydrogen from North Africa. On May 30, these three countries signed a declaration of intent for the construction of the SouthH2 Corridor, a project that is already part of the European Union’s list of Projects of Common Interest. This ambitious project aims to connect both shores of the Mediterranean through a 3,300 km pipeline.
Southern Hydrogen Corridor to connect Africa and Europe
To carry out this plan, it has been decided to establish a trilateral working group. This unit will have the task of tailoring the project to the specific needs of the main hydrogen demand centers. It will include key stakeholders such as transmission system operators, national regulators, financial institutions and potential consumers and hydrogen producers. hydrogen producers The project will be implemented in a comprehensive and effective collaboration.
In theory, this corridor will allow the import of renewable hydrogen from Tunisia and Algeria, contributing to the EU targets set by Brussels to reach 10 million tons by the end of the decade, in addition to another 10 million tons of domestic production.
With a nominal capacity of 4 million tons per year, the Southern Hydrogen Corridor will represent 40% of the EU’s target. This link will connect North Africa with Europe, similar to another planned corridor that will pass through the Iberian Peninsula and France.
Algeria signs key agreements with Berlin
Current renewable hydrogen production in Tunisia and Algeria is practically non-existent. Last month, Algeria signed an agreement with Berlin for two 50 MW green hydrogen pilot projects. In addition, Eni is developing a pilot project in the Bir Rebaa North field, where a 10 MW photovoltaic plant is located.
The Southern Hydrogen Corridor will be a “hydrogen-ready” pipeline, suitable for transporting a mixture of hydrogen with 10-20% fossil gas. In parallel, Algeria has launched the first auctions for the construction of 3 GW of photovoltaic power by 2026, as part of its national plan to reach 15 GW of solar power by 2035.
An interesting aspect of this project is its potential to foster international cooperation in the field of renewable energy. renewable energy not only between Europe and Africa, but also within the European Union. This type of initiative could serve as a model for future sustainable energy infrastructure projects globally, strengthening the transition to cleaner and safer energy sources.
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Source: sustainabilityenvironment
Photo: Shutterstock
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