Talking on the EU-Med 9 summit in Alicante on Friday, Spain’s president introduced the beginning of a brand new pipeline that can ultimately carry hydrogen from Barcelona to Marseille in a challenge that can price round €2.5 billion.
The goal is to produce hydrogen, which is generated from renewables somewhat than fossil fuels, and so assist cut back Europe’s reliance on Russia’s gasoline and oil.
However it would take years to finish.
“H2MED, which might be operational on the finish of this decade, will be capable of transport, because the president of the Fee mentioned, 10 % of hydrogen consumption of the European Union by 2030 – about two million tonnes per yr, ” Pedro Sánchez mentioned.
The President of the European Fee, Ursula von der Leyen, mentioned it would assist the EU to “construct an actual European hydrogen spine”.
Initially designed to quickly transport gasoline from the Iberian Peninsula to the remainder of the EU to cut back dependence on Russian gasoline, the H2Med will now solely be used to move hydrogen, mentioned Antonio Costa, the prime minister of Portugal.
The choice to not transport fossil fuels was essential to make sure that Brussels may declare it a “challenge of widespread curiosity,” he added.
The governments concerned hope to current the challenge earlier than December fifteenth to use for European funds that would cowl as much as 50 % of the infrastructure prices.
