A transmission network to supply hydrogen

Security of supply and decarbonisation are the main axes on which the new European energy paradigm is based. These axes reinforce Europe’s renewable energy and energy efficiency objectives on the one hand, and on the other hand, they allow the development of new infrastructure to integrate EU markets.

Spain holds a favourable position thanks to its geographical location, its industrial and technological capabilities, and its consolidated infrastructure network. This advantageous position will serve as a starting point for the creation of the future green hydrogen transmission backbone. Thanks to its potential for renewable generation, Spain also has the opportunity to emerge as a leading country in the production and export of renewable energies, such as green hydrogen. This is key for enhancing European competitiveness and ensuring security of supply.

Spain has an infrastructure network that could be the starting point for the development of a hydrogen network, with more than 80% overlap in the routes

As a leading TSO in Europe, Enagás can be a key player in the decarbonisation process and contribute its experience and knowledge to the adaptation of existing infrastructure and the development of new ones, accelerating the creation of a competitive hydrogen market in Spain and Europe.

Union and collaboration to speed up the energy transition

Enagás is part of the European Hydrogen Backbone (EHB) initiative, which has been investigating for some time how hydrogen demand will be distributed in Europe and what the extent of the production potential of the individual countries could be. EHB has also highlighted the need for a network of corridors linking the countries that produce this energy vector to the centres of demand.

The REPowerEU plan recognises this type of corridors as essential to achieve the integration of European markets, accelerate decarbonisation and increase the continent's energy autonomy. This hydrogen infrastructure network will enable to connect countries with significant production potential, such as Spain, with the demand from Central European countries.

H2med: the first hydrogen corridor in the EU

The TSOs of Spain, France, Portugal and Germany are working to advance the H2med project, included in the European Union's definitive list of Projects of Common Interest (PCI) in April 2024.

H2med is the first hydrogen corridor amongst the ones envisaged in REPowerEU. This project will accelerate the deployment of hydrogen in Europe connecting the Iberian Peninsula to France and to the North of Europe by creating a hydrogen infrastructure network that enables the development of a competitive, liquid and pan-European market of this energy vector.

The project will have a capacity to transport up to 2 million tonnes of green hydrogen produced in Spain and Portugal to Europe. This accounts for 10% of the overall consumption goal set by Europe. H2med is expected to be commissioned in 2030.

H2med will have the capacity to transport up to 2 million tonnes of green hydrogen produced in Spain and Portugal to Europe

Enagás proposes to create two renewable hydrogen transmission axes in Spain. The first encompasses the Cantabrian Coast Axis, the Ebro Valley Axis and the Levante Axis; the second, the Vía de la Plata Axis connected to the Puertollano Hydrogen Valley. The company also poses to develop two underground hydrogen storage facilities in Cantabria and the Basque Country.

These storages and the hydrogen axes, as well as H2med with its Celorico da Beira-Zamora and Barcelona-Marseille connections, have been included by the European Commission in the definitive PCI list in April 2024.

These projects, of great importance for positioning Spain as the first renewable hydrogen hub in Europe, reinforces the key role of infrastructure to accelerate the decarbonisation. If the gas pipeline network is compared with the hydrogen network planned for 2040 an overlap of more than 80% in the routes can be seeing. In the case of Enagás' transmission network, the company has already identified 30% of pipeline sections to be converted into hydrogen pipelines, a percentage that could be increased up to 70%.

As a European TSO, and pursuant to Royal Decree-Law 8/2023, of 27 December, Enagás may operate as provisional hydrogen transmission network operator.

In April 2022, Enagás incorporated the subsidiary Enagás Infraestructuras de Hidrógeno, through which the company separates its functions as a natural gas infrastructure operator (TSO) from the possible future management of hydrogen infrastructure. Its objective is the development, construction and operation of infrastructure to meet the need for hydrogen transmission and storage, in line with national and European legislation, plans and roadmaps.