Czech Net4Gas contributes to study on hydrogen corridor to Central Europe

Czech gas transmission operator Net4Gas contributed to a study of a proposed hydrogen corridor that would in future transport hydrogen from the Balkans and the Middle East to Central and Western Europe. According to the study, the corridor is expected to become operational in 2029. It would probably also use the existing gas pipeline network in Czechia. Net4Gas informed the Czech News Agency (ČTK) of this today.

Work on the study of the so-called Southeast European Hydrogen Corridor began in 2024 in response to Europe’s growing demand for hydrogen. The 3132-kilometre SEEHyC corridor is intended to connect hydrogen production centres in Balkan countries and the Middle East with a network of consumers in Central and Western Europe, particularly southern Germany. According to Net4Gas, the project would also be important for Czechia.

"Thanks to its geographical location, Czechia can benefit from access to three of Europe’s five main hydrogen corridors. The Southeast Corridor is one of them and will play a key role in diversifying supplies of low-carbon hydrogen to Central Europe," said Net4Gas CEO Michal Slabý.

The initiative was a response to projected demand for hydrogen in Germany, which is expected to reach up to 130 terawatt-hours (TWh) by 2030 and more than 500 TWh by 2050. According to the study, the corridor will have an initial transport capacity of 80 gigawatt-hours per day. The project is set to combine the construction of new hydrogen pipelines with the conversion of existing gas infrastructure.

Gas transmission operators from Greece, Bulgaria, Romania, Hungary, Slovakia and Germany are working on the project alongside Net4Gas. Net4Gas is also preparing two other hydrogen projects that involve converting pipelines into hydrogen networks.

Net4Gas operates 4000 kilometres of gas pipelines, five compressor stations and a hundred transfer stations, including three at the borders. State-owned ČEPS bought the company two years ago. Net4Gas holds the exclusive licence to transport natural gas in the Czech Republic. In an emergency, it manages the gas system and declares alert levels, thereby deciding on gas supplies to customers. Any problems with Net4Gas pipelines would seriously jeopardise gas supplies to the country.