Fluxys hydrogen and GRTgaz launch call for market interest for creation of cross-border hydrogen pipeline between France and Belgium
Published by Alfred Hamer,
Editorial Assistant
World Pipelines,
The French and Belgian energy infrastructure companies, GRTgaz and Fluxys hydrogen, a subsidiary of Fluxys Belgium, announce the launch of a market call to assess the needs and economic interest for the creation of an ‘open access’ hydrogen transport infrastructure between France and Belgium. This 150 km network would aim to connect the industrial port area of Dunkirk to the industrial zones of Ghent and Antwerp. The call for expressions of interest will be open from 16 October to 29 November 2024.
In a press release, Fluxys said that the creation of a hydrogen transport network by pipelines connecting three major industrial ports of the North Sea (Dunkirk, Ghent, and Antwerp) would mark an important step in the structuring of a hydrogen transport network in Northwestern Europe.
These large industrial port areas, characterised by the presence of heavy industries such as steel, refining, and chemicals, face significant decarbonisation challenges and are currently developing numerous projects for the production and consumption of green and decarbonised hydrogen.
The first projects for local hydrogen transport networks in these clusters are under study for progressive commissioning by 2030. On the French side, GRTgaz is developing the DHUNE network at the Port of Dunkirk. On the Belgian side, Fluxys hydrogen is moving forward to complete the first infrastructures by 2026.
In response to growing market demands, GRTgaz and Fluxys hydrogen are now proposing a shared cross-border infrastructure of 150 km that will ensure connectivity between these three major industrial hubs.
Sandrine Meunier, CEO of GRTgaz: "We are proud of this collaboration with our long-standing partner Fluxys. Together, we are convinced that the future of renewable and low-carbon hydrogen relies on the availability of infrastructures capable of transporting and storing large quantities of hydrogen, connecting production sites to consumption areas, both nationally and across Europe. This initiative is fully in line with our vision of building a European hydrogen market and contributing to the decarbonisation of our economy."
Pascal De Buck, CEO and Managing Director of Fluxys: "Fluxys intends to develop the necessary hydrogen infrastructure so that it is available when the industry needs it. This new collaboration with GRTgaz, a trusted partner of Fluxys for many years, aims to create a cross-border network between Belgium and France and is fully in line with our global approach to contributing to the construction of key infrastructure for the decarbonisation of Northwestern Europe."
Read the article online at: https://www.worldpipelines.com/project-news/18102024/fluxys-hydrogen-and-grtgaz-launch-call-for-market-interest-for-creation-of-cross-border-hydrogen-pipeline-between-france-and-belgium/
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