BarMar company launched to develop H2med hydrogen pipeline

The BarMar company has been launched to develop the BarMar renewable hydrogen pipeline that will connect Barcelona in Spain to Marseille in France.

The initiative to form the new company, a joint venture between the Spanish gas TSO Enagás through its affiliate Enagás Infraestructuras de Hidrogeno (EIH) and the two French gas TSOs NaTran and Teréga, is considered to mark a significant milestone in the H2med project.

H2med is aimed to transmit up to 2Mt of green hydrogen annually produced in Portugal and Spain from renewable energy sources into Germany and elsewhere in northern and central Europe, with BarMar the main component.

BarMar is a 450km submarine pipeline connecting the two countries with a capacity of 2Mt per year. This will then connect from the hydrogen base in France to the hydrogen infrastructure under development in Germany and the rest of northwest Europe.

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The second component is the CelZa 248km pipeline with a capacity of 0.75Mt per year between Celorico da Beira in Portugal and Zamora in Spain – the two main hydrogen backbones under development in the two countries.

H2med, named a project of common interest and due to come online in 2027, is expected to transport around 10% of Europe’s estimated hydrogen consumption in 2030, providing the region with decarbonised hydrogen produced at competitive cost.

It also should accelerate Europe’s decarbonisation roadmap and support the flexibility of the energy grid through access to underground hydrogen storage capacities.

The new company, which will be based in the south of France, in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region, defines the governance structure of the project.

Francisco de la Flor García, Director of Enagás, has been appointed as the CEO.

Bringing more than 35 years of experience in the energy and natural gas sectors, he also currently chairs the UNECE Gas Expert Group and is a member of the IGU Executive Committee and Council.

Arturo Gonzalo, CEO of Enagás, said the creation of this JV embodies a collective commitment and determination to deliver this vital energy infrastructure for Europe.

“This marks the beginning of a new operational phase that will allow us to address the technical and regulatory challenges with an integrated team and a common goal: to make H2med a reality."

Sandrine Meunier, CEO of NaTran said the JV provides the necessary framework for the long-term development of the BarMar hydrogen pipeline.

“It also gives concrete form to cross-border cooperation in the development of strategic energy infrastructure to decarbonise our industries. Based in France, BarMar is now a place where all the partners' expertise in hydrogen transport will converge to promote a new phase of energy in Europe."

Carolle Foissaud, CEO of Teréga, added that the announcement places H2med at the heart of Europe's energy sovereignty and allows it to achieve the goals of carbon neutrality.

“Together with its partners, Teréga is fully mobilised to make this European clean hydrogen corridor a success for the decarbonisation of our industries and regions."

This BarMar company announcement follows the reconfirmation of European support for the project and the recent signing of grant agreements with the European Executive Agency for Climate, Infrastructure and Environment (CINEA) for the two pipelines.

The guaranteed funding represents 100% of the funds requested under the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF) and covers 50% of the development costs, enabling the launching of the engineering studies, maritime reconnaissance surveys and environmental impact assessments required for the permitting process.

Other participants in H2med include the German gas TSO OGE and the Portuguese TSO REN-Gasodutos.