Seven gas TSOs established cooperation on the SEEHy Corridor
The gas TSOs OGE (Germany), NET4GAS (Czech Republic), Eustream (Slovakia), FGSZ (Hungary), TRANSGAZ (Romania), BULGARTRANSGAZ (Bulgaria), and DESFA (Greece) have been working on the creation of a 3,000 km long hydrogen transportation corridor, running from the Southeast part of the continent to the centre of Europe. The partnership concerning the creation of the South-East European Hydrogen Corridor (SEEHyC) has also been strengthened by a joint Memorandum of Understanding, signed by the parties.
The project in its planning phase explores the feasibility of the pipeline corridor to connect high-potential H2 supply areas with demand centres. Thus, renewable and low-carbon hydrogen produced in Greece, Bulgaria, and Romania can be transported via Hungary, Slovakia, and the Czech Republic to demand centres along the route, Germany having the highest projected demand. Furthermore, SEEHyC may also open and link pathways to importing green hydrogen produced in the Mediterraneum and North Africa.
Basics of the project:
- app. 3,000 km long;
- both repurposed and newly built pipelines;
- initial minimum capacity of 80 GWh per day;
- commercial operation: from 2029;
- est. costs: 4.8 – 6.8 bn €.
Once further details – such as pressure levels at interconnection points – are agreed on, the partners plan to submit a coordinated application for Project of Common Interest (PCI) status for the next round in 2025, which could make the project eligible for CEF funding.