There is already the structure of the future green hydrogen network in Galicia and how it connects to the plateau.
Despite France’s reservations and Germany’s support, Spain advocates for a new gas link with Europe through Midcat, citing green hydrogen as a new path for energy growth through utilizing renewables. Spain wants to become a global powerhouse for hydrogen. However, there’s more. without departing from Galicia.
The most recent study on the European hydrogen trunk network, dated April of this year, describes the map as well as how to use and modify the current infrastructure. Six international connections are now made possible by the gas pipeline network: two with Africa via Tarifa and Almera (linking with the Maghreb and Medgaz, respectively); two with Portugal via Tui and Badajoz; and two more with France via Irn and Larrau.
Hydrogen and gas coexisting
According to Enagás, “the network of hydrogen pipes in Spain would allow both natural gas and hydrogen to coexist for a predetermined duration, maximizing the use of present infrastructures to satisfy the projected demand of the sector and provide security of supply.” Additionally, “the backbone intends to make use of the huge potential of Spain’s solar photovoltaic and onshore wind resources, which might enable the export of green hydrogen to other European nations.” When Spain’s alternatives are examined in the aforementioned European study, Enagás’ contributions are presented as follows.
A site named Guitiriz is shown on the map of the European trunk network but not in 2030 but in 2040. That is the key to the safety of the competition to create the green hydrogen that will be exported from Europe through a variety of projects in Galicia. The Xunta made it apparent in the recommendations it delivered to Madrid in August of last year that Teresa Ribera had asked them to create the energy contingency plan. And he made a clear reference to Guitiriz.
Map of Galicia
According to the paper, the Galician Government’s strategy for future infrastructures entails “supporting the link of the Galician gas/hydro-duct with the Plateau; notably, the Guitiriz-Zamora hydro duct, and North of Portugal.” According to the proposal given by the Economic Vice Presidency to Madrid, the Galician bet involves blending, or the combination, “during a transitory period,” complementing the applications of hydrogen “based on the current infrastructure.”
Reganosa is another company that is included in network design. Reganosa and EDP are intending to build As Pontes’ first important industrial project, a sizable green hydrogen factory. The vast alternative and renewable energy projects that are now being built, however, fit like a glove with the network of gas pipes in the north that Reganosa manages. From As Pontes to Meirama, passing via Mugardos, and finally arriving in Langosteira, the Port Authority of A Corua hopes to play a decisive role as a base for hydrogen plants as well as its outlet to Europe.
The Tui-Llanera gas pipeline and the Mugardos LNG plant are both connected to Reganosa’s infrastructure at Guitiriz and Abegondo. In addition, it delivers gas directly to the cities of As Pontes and Cerceda, the A Corua refinery, and the As Pontes and Sabón combined cycle plants. Renewable energy projects are now being built in each of these places, which is essential for the electrolysis-based generation of green hydrogen. A map has already been created.
