Study: Czech gas pipelines could become part of hydrogen corridor from Africa to Europe

Czech gas pipelines could become part of a hydrogen corridor from Africa to Europe in the future. A feasibility study has now assessed the technical and commercial aspects of the proposed SunsHyne corridor, with Czech gas pipeline operator Net4Gas among the contributors. The project is expected to link pipelines in North Africa with Central and Western Europe. According to the study, the 3400-kilometre corridor could be operational in 2030. Net4Gas announced this today in a press release.

"Thanks to its strategic location in the heart of Europe, Czechia and Net4Gas have a unique opportunity to become a key transit hub for renewable hydrogen. The SunsHyne Corridor project is another step towards diversifying sources and strengthening the region’s energy security. Once completed, this import route will complement other planned hydrogen transport corridors, all of which are an integral part of the European hydrogen backbone and will enable the development of a European market for this commodity," said the company’s CEO, Michal Slabý.

According to the study, the SunsHyne corridor would connect hydrogen production centres in North Africa, with potential import capacity of around 450 GWh per day, to areas of high demand in Europe, particularly southern and northeastern Germany, where demand is expected to exceed 100 TWh in 2030. The project would combine the construction of new hydrogen pipelines with the conversion of existing infrastructure to transport hydrogen. Net4Gas is taking the same approach in its planned Czech hydrogen infrastructure projects.

Net4Gas operates 4000 kilometres of gas pipelines, five compressor stations and a hundred transfer stations, including three on the borders. The state-owned ČEPS bought the company two years ago. Net4Gas holds the exclusive licence for natural gas transmission 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 pose a serious threat to gas supplies to the country.