The H2Med hydrogen corridor project, spanning Spain, France, Portugal, and Germany and crossing the province of Zamora, has received a positive technical rating from the European Commission, making it eligible for potential EU funding.
This development marks a significant milestone in the process, although the final list of approved projects will be announced in November. The H2Med project aims to establish the world’s first renewable hydrogen hub and has been hailed as a strategic initiative by the Spanish government, along with France and Portugal. The construction of the H2Med hydro pipeline, which includes the CelZa project connecting Celorico da Beira and Zamora, is estimated to cost €157 million. Enagás, responsible for the deployment of green hydrogen routes, expects the project to facilitate the integration of renewable hydrogen into Spain’s energy landscape by 2030.
The H2Med corridor will span 248 kilometers, traversing natural parks and utilizing a 28-inch diameter tube with an operating pressure of 100 bars. Upon reaching the Zamora compressor station, it will connect to the domestic hydrogen network and continue toward Barcelona. The second phase of the H2Med project will extend to Marseille, France, according to the Spanish government’s plans.
Enagás, the company leading the deployment of green hydrogen routes, has identified Zamora as a central location for its hydrogen infrastructure plans. In addition to the H2Med corridor, a trunk network linking Asturias and Andalusia via the Ruta de la Plata will traverse the province. This network will connect hydrogen production sites in Extremadura and Castilla y León with the northern region, including export plans through the port of El Musel de Gijón by 2030.
The H2Med project holds great promise for the development of a sustainable hydrogen economy in the region, facilitating cross-border collaboration and driving the transition to renewable energy sources. It represents a significant step toward achieving climate goals and fostering energy independence while creating new economic opportunities and contributing to job creation in the hydrogen sector.
