Italy to Present Hydrogen Transport Network

Italy is set to host an event this autumn to unveil the SouthH2 Corridor, a significant initiative aimed at transporting renewable hydrogen from the southern Mediterranean to northern Europe. Energy Minister Gilberto Pichetto Fratin announced the plans, indicating that Switzerland may also play a role in this ambitious project. The corridor will connect North Africa, Italy, Austria, and Germany, facilitating the delivery of renewable hydrogen produced in the Southern Mediterranean to European industries. The SouthH2 Corridor has garnered priority status from the European Commission, reflecting Europe’s commitment to enhancing the production and import of renewable hydrogen. This clean fuel, generated using renewable electricity, is seen as a crucial element in reducing fossil fuel dependency in industrial processes, particularly in steel-making. Minister Pichetto emphasized the importance of the project, stating that it aims to establish a hydrogen transport route through Austria, linking Switzerland and Germany. The pipeline, which spans approximately 3,300 kilometers, is being developed in collaboration with key companies, including Italian gas grid operator Snam and partners in Austria and Germany. With an anticipated hydrogen import capacity exceeding 4 million tonnes per annum, the corridor could potentially meet 40% of the European Union’s hydrogen import target for 2030, with operations expected to commence as early as that year. The initiative was formally announced in May when energy ministers from Italy, Austria, and Germany signed a cooperation agreement as part of the EU's broader strategy to decarbonize its industrial sector. Existing pipeline connections with Libya and Tunisia may also be integrated into the corridor, with discussions ongoing regarding the conversion of hydrogen into ammonia for shipping to Europe.