Hydrogen could be transported along existing gas pipelines
European grids double down on hydrogen network plan
Mass repurposing of natural gas grids could create competitive hydrogen transmission system
Europe has the potential to develop a hydrogen pipeline network connecting 21 countries that would enable imports from Ukraine, North Africa, Norway and Russia by 2040, according to a group of 23 natural gas transmission operators. Development of the 40,000km European Hydrogen Backbone (EHB) would cost €43-81bn ($51-97bn), with about 70pc of the network based on the use of repurposed natural gas grids. “Economically plausible vision for dedicated hydrogen infrastructure exists” Muthmann, Open Grid Europe The scope of the EHB project has expanded since July last year, when the group initially identified a potential network of 23,000km covering ten countries. A pan-European hydrogen in
Also in this section
10 December 2025
Project developer Meld Energy ready to accelerate 100MW project in Humber region after securing investment from energy transition arm of private equity firm Schroders Capital
9 December 2025
BP and Engie abandon large-scale green hydrogen projects in Gulf state as developers in all regions continue to struggle with lack of firm offtake
5 December 2025
European Commission highlights rapid growth of Chinese production this year, as it retains strict procurement rules in latest European Hydrogen Bank subsidy auction
2 December 2025
Oil major cites deteriorating demand and a planning debacle as it abandons one of UK’s largest blue hydrogen projects
