France and Germany to jointly develop 'large-scale hydrogen production' strategy and roadmap for European H2 market
Planned Mediterranean hydrogen pipeline will also be extended to Germany, and possibly other nations
Hydrogen: hype, hope and the hard truths around its role in the energy transition
The proposed H2Med hydrogen pipeline — originally planned between Portugal, Spain and France — will also be extended to Germany, the nations agreed.
“We will also take the necessary steps on a European backbone for hydrogen transport across Europe, including the necessary national and transnational hydrogen infrastructures and, in particular, the extension and connection of existing and planned infrastructures, including [the] extension of the H2Med pipeline to Germany.”
And it added: “Together we aim to establish a new Franco-German dialogue platform on battery charging and hydrogen refuelling infrastructure.”
A joint working group on hydrogen will now be formed by the two countries, which will aim to provide “conclusions and recommendations on our strategic choices regarding hydrogen development” at the end of April.
Scholz told a press conference on Sunday: “We want hydrogen as the gas of the future to be available in large quantities and at affordable prices. This is technological progress that we can only achieve together.”
The neighbouring nations also vowed to “make the offshore wind potential of the North Sea one major pillar for competitive electricity prices and hydrogen production”.
Macron told the press conference that the H2Med project — built around a 225km undersea pipeline between Barcelona and Marseille — would now be extended to Germany, and possibly other countries too.
The undersea Spain-to-France subsea pipeline has a price tag of up to €3bn ($3.25bn), with an additional €350m required for a connection between Spain and Portugal.