The European Gas Transmission System Operators (TSOs) of Finland, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland and Germany’s ONTRAS are starting the feasibility phase for the Nordic-Baltic Hydrogen Corridor (NBHC). After having successfully completed the pre-feasibility study in 2024, the six TSOs plan to start feasibility studies across the respective countries. These studies will focus on various crucial aspects including pipeline routing, compressor stations planning, financial and economic analysis, environmental and safety permitting issues as well as investigations on an implementation timeline. These studies are expected to run until mid-2026.
In addition to these studies the involved TSOs aim to complete several cross-border analyses to further substantiate the NBHC planning on an overall project level based on the outcomes from the aforementioned studies. These studies involve project coordination, technical and commercial alignment, and customer and stakeholder engagement. The cross-border studies are expected to run until the end of 2026.
“We are thrilled to expedite this important collaboration and to make such good progress on the realization of the NBHC project. Not only has this project the potential to significantly reduce carbon emissions of the participating countries, but it can also promote business growth and support the ramp-up of a completely new hydrogen economy in Europe”, said the involved partners.
Before the feasibility studies are set to commence, the TSOs will conduct a joint commercial principles study. Based on the results of the pre-feasibility study, the commercial principles study starting in the beginning of 2025 will investigate the preliminary principles for a cross-border cost allocation. Its goal is also to develop mutually suitable principles of a commercial model and of revenue models (tariff models) to ensure financial viability for all involved TSOs.
Together, these thorough analyses will build a path towards NBHC’s progression as a safe, reliable and cost-efficient transport route for renewable hydrogen connected to the future European hydrogen network in Central Europe.
"The Nordic-Baltic Hydrogen Corridor project is moving into the next planned phase. The successful completion of the pre-feasibility study in 2024 was an important achievement, and we are now moving forward in accordance with the project timelines. We are confident that through consistent and stable development of this project, in cooperation with partners and stakeholders, we will realize this hydrogen infrastructure project. The NBHC corridor will ensure the development of green electricity production and the use of renewable energy resources and will contribute to the implementation of Lithuanian and European climate and energy security goals," said Nemunas Biknius, head of the Lithuanian gas transmission system operator Amber Grid.
The NBHC project is an important component in Europe’s transition to a sustainable and decarbonized energy system, supporting the EU’s climate goals and enhancing regional energy cooperation. The NBHC will significantly support the EU’s decarbonization targets by integrating renewable hydrogen across six member states. The corridor could reduce carbon emissions by up to 37 million tons of CO2 equivalent per year by 2050. The corridor will enhance energy security and supply diversity in the region and Europe, connecting indigenous renewable hydrogen production to existing and new demand centers, as well as contribute to the decarbonization of hard-to-abate sectors.
In April 2024, the NBHC was granted the status of the Project of Common Interest (PCI) by the European Commission as part of the ‘Baltic Energy Market Interconnection Plan for Hydrogen’ (BEMIP Hydrogen). In October 2024, the TSOs applied for Connecting Europe Facility (CEF) funding with results expected for Q1 2025.
The NBHC is a joint project of six European TSOs: Finland’s Gasgrid Vetyverkot Oy, Estonia’s Elering, Latvia’s Conexus Baltic Grid, Lithuania’s Amber Grid, Poland’s GAZ-SYSTEM, as well as Germany’s ONTRAS.
