Fluxys Belgium : European Hydrogen Backbone initiative adds six new members and sets its agenda for 2022

The EHB initiative is delighted to welcome six additional members Amber Grid (Lithuania), Bulgartransgaz (Bulgaria), Conexus Baltic Grid (Latvia), Gassco (Norway), Plinacro (Croatia), and REN (Portugal).

By broadening its base, this initiative has now reached 29 energy infrastructure operators covering 27 European countries. All members are united through a shared vision of a climate-neutral Europe enabled by a thriving renewable and low-carbon hydrogen market.

Since its inception in 2020, the EHB has contributed to the development of a European hydrogen market through the publications of its flagship EHB maps, with a vision of a pan-European hydrogen transport infrastructure. These network maps and corresponding studies demonstrate how this vision is both technically feasible and economically affordable. The initiative's contributions have been well-received by hydrogen market players and policy makers alike. Most recently, the EHB initiative's technical inputs were referenced several times in the European Commission's hydrogen and decarbonised gas package, published in December 2021.

In 2022, the EHB initiative will focus its efforts on developing techno-economic assessments of frequently mentioned hydrogen supply corridors, and the potential role of regional cooperation by infrastructure operators in carrying them out. In parallel, the group will be updating, expanding, and digitising its network maps while revamping the EHB website to provide stakeholders easier access to key insights.

Through these activities, the EHB aims to accelerate Europe's decarbonisation journey by defining the critical role of hydrogen infrastructure - based on existing and new pipelines - in enabling the development of a competitive, liquid, pan-European renewable and low-carbon hydrogen market. The initiative seeks to foster market competition, security of supply, security of demand, and cross-border collaboration between European countries and their neighbours.

To find out more about the EHB initiative, visit the Gas for Climate website.