Amid the electricity and CO2 infrastructure projects highlighted in the seventh list of Projects of Common Interest (PCIs), there is a wide range of hydrogen projects, including pipelines, underground storage sites, import and reconversion terminals, and electrolytic hydrogen production projects. The large amount of hydrogen projects confirms the EU’s continued commitment to building a European hydrogen backbone and advancing the Clean Industrial Deal.
Key takeaways:
100 hydrogen projects were selected out of 199 (54% success rate)
Transmission leads with 49 projects, followed by electrolysers (21), storage sites (19), reception facilities (9) and hydrogen valleys (2)
A sharp rise in hydrogen storage projects compared to the previous PCI list highlights the increased attention on the role of storage in providing system flexibility and ensuring security of supply
There is a continued geographical imbalance, with most selected projects located in Western Europe
Daniel Fraile, Chief Policy and Market Officer at Hydrogen Europe, says:
“The inclusion of 100 hydrogen projects in the PCI list shows Europe’s commitment to develop a pan-European hydrogen backbone, indispensable infrastructure for decarbonising the energy system and for strengthening its resilience. Those projects will now enjoy faster permitting and could benefit from CEF funding, enabling faster deployment and making clean hydrogen more accessible and more affordable.
