Spanish, French companies study cross-border hydrogen plans

Spanish and French pipeline operators Enagas, Terega, French supplier GazelEnergie and solar-powered electrolyser company DH2 Energy are to study the prospects for a cross-border renewable hydrogen value chain, they said March 30.

The study covers producing, transporting and supplying renewable hydrogen from Spain to France as well as the storage and transport of hydrogen through the Terega network to GazelEnergie's combined-cycle gas turbine.

The so-called Lacq Hydrogen project has been designated an 'Important Project of Common European Interest (PIICE)' and could be among the first European milestones in the strategic hydrogen value chain, the parties said. Terega and Enagas were among a group of companies that formed a consortium to develop green hydrogen in February.

The Lacq Hydrogen project aims to produce 10mn metric tons of green hydrogen by 2030 at a competitive price. Terega CEO Dominique Mockly said: "The collaboration with GazelEnergie, DH2 and Enagas constitutes a major step forward in accelerating the mass development of green hydrogen at the service of Europe and all territories."

Enagas CEO Marcelino Oreja said: "TSOs can play a key role in the European decarbonisation process, by contributing their experience and capacity as system integrators. Spain occupies a privileged place to become a producer and exporter of renewable hydrogen. The Spanish gas transmission network is a crucial long-term infrastructure.”

DH2 president Thierry Lepercq said the company was "proud to participate in the realization of this project through its solar and electrolysis facilities in Spain, which supply large volumes of hydrogen at competitive prices."