Germany-Netherlands hydrogen pipeline connections set to expand

German and Dutch transmission systems operators (TSO) Thyssengas, Open Grid Europe (OGE), and Gasunie have signed a joint development agreement (JDA) to build hydrogen pipelines between the two countries.

Aiming to establish pipelines by 2031, the group will connect the German industrial and chemical sector with hydrogen production, storage, and import facilities in the Netherlands – repurposing existing natural gas infrastructure where possible.

Also interconnecting their broader networks, the pipeline will span the border between Zevenaar in the Netherlands and Elten in Germany.

Gasunie and Thyssengas are also advancing a second Netherlands-Germany connection under a , and Gasunie is progressing a Netherlands-Belgium link following an with TSO, Fluxys.

The Dutch state-owned company also plans a 1,200km network across the country.

Thyssengas and OGE are playing a role in Germany’s 9,000km core hydrogen network, due to connect major production with import clusters and consuming regions.

Western Europe’s web of pipelines has seen activity ramp up as TSOs, often backed by the EU’s Connecting Europe Facility funding, equip the region to transport the molecule.

Pre-environmental impact assessments along the route of Gascade’s Eastern Germany Hybor pipeline, progressing the project towards planning permissions.