Amber Grid, together with other European gas transmission system operators—Gasgrid Finland (Finland), Elering (Estonia), Conexus Baltic Grid (Latvia), GAZ-SYSTEM (Poland), and ONTRAS (Germany)—is participating in the international Nordic-Baltic Hydrogen Corridor project. This initiative aims to connect potential green hydrogen production regions in Northern Europe with major consumption centers in Central Europe.
In June 2024, a preliminary feasibility study was completed, analyzing European and regional energy policies and providing concrete insights into the production and consumption potential of green and low-carbon hydrogen in the Nordic-Baltic region.
Currently, a detailed feasibility study is underway, with a strong focus on pipeline routing, compressor station planning, financial and economic analysis, environmental permits, safety considerations, and the implementation schedule.
Up-to-date information on hydrogen market development plans in Lithuania is essential for preparing this detailed feasibility study. Therefore, Amber Grid conducted a non-binding survey of hydrogen market participants to identify potential locations for hydrogen production and consumption, assess transmission capacity needs, and determine the expected timeline for hydrogen transportation demand.
Green hydrogen production in Lithuania is inseparable from the rapid development of renewable energy resources and hydrogen transfer system. This is also emphasised by the survey participants - the development of the hydrogen pipeline system will accelerate the growth of the hydrogen market, by creating conditions for the efficient storage and export of surplus renewable energy, and for promoting the establishment and expansion of production capacities for hydrogen and hydrogen-derived products such as synthetic methane, methanol and others.
Currently, 23 hydrogen projects are planned in Lithuania, and four of them have already reached the design stage. Most of the companies surveyed focus on hydrogen production for both domestic needs and export, while eight companies plan to produce higher value-added hydrogen derivatives.
Strict EU regulations on the certification of green hydrogen production (Renewable Fuels of Non-Biological Origin, RFNBO) were identified as one of the main market challenges in the survey. They require particularly close synergies between electricity and hydrogen production. These requirements increase investment costs. Therefore, market participants expect them to be simplified in the near future.
Most of the hydrogen produced in Lithuania, according to current guidelines, should be used for internal industrial needs, primarily to the fertiliser production and oil refining sectors, as well as transport sectors such as shipping and aviation, where the use of hydrogen is regulated by strict EU obligations. The remaining part will be allocated to exports. However, exports are seen as a significant part of the future economy.
Read more about the results of the hydrogen market stakeholder survey here.
For more details about the planned hydrogen transmission network, please visit here. Additional information about green gas can be found in the Hydrogen | Green Gas section of our website.
If you need further information or have any questions or comments regarding the questionnaire, please contact Amber Grid at hydrogen@ambergrid.lt.
