The German state of Hesse plans a new hydrogen pipeline network spanning 280 kilometers. This project is projected to cost up to €300 million.
Hesse aims to integrate with national hydrogen routes using the H2ercules, Flow, and Werne-Eisenach Line pipelines, but additional local pipelines are necessary to enhance regional distribution.
A consortium of 15 regional gas network operators, which may include companies like Open Grid Europe and Terranets bw GmbH, carried out feasibility studies for the pipeline. The proposed corridor would stretch from Lahntal to Kassel and include both newly constructed and converted gas pipelines. The study anticipates an annual demand for 8.5 to 9 TWh of green hydrogen by the industry in Hesse between 2032 and 2035. However, transitioning entirely to hydrogen is currently challenging given the continued need for natural gas networks.
Regional and National Connectivity Minister Kaweh Mansoori emphasized the study’s role in establishing a secure hydrogen distribution system for Northern and Central Hesse. The proposal outlines how this region can connect to Germany’s National Hydrogen Core Network, known as the Wasserstoff-Kernnetz. This initiative reflects a broader commitment to developing a hydrogen economy within Hesse.
This local effort is part of a more extensive national strategy. Germany has approved a 9,000-kilometer hydrogen core network, expected to complement its hydrogen production and import strategy. The network aims to connect import terminals with industrial hubs nationwide, featuring a 101 GW hydrogen feed-in capacity and an 87 GW feed-out capacity. This infrastructure is intended to create security for producers, operators, and future industrial users, according to Vice-Chancellor Robert Habeck.
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