French gas grid operator Natran, a subsidiary of Engie, has joined forces with French storage operator Terega and Spain's Enagas to create a joint venture dedicated to developing a crucial cross-border hydrogen pipeline. The initiative, announced on July 3, signifies a major milestone in Europe's energy transition ambitions. The venture will oversee the construction of the Barmar underwater pipeline, which is part of the broader H2Med project, with a focus on connecting Portugal, Spain, France, and Germany with a hydrogen pipeline network by 2030. The overall estimated cost of this ambitious project is 2.5 billion euros. The European Union's strong advocacy for hydrogen as a sustainable alternative to natural gas is evident in its support for the H2Med project, covering half of the development expenses. The planned pipeline is set to transport 2 million metric tons of hydrogen annually, generated from renewable electricity sources, to industrial consumers across Europe. This volume is projected to cater to approximately 10% of the EU's expected hydrogen consumption in the next decade, underlining the critical role of the project in the region's energy landscape. Although progress is underway, a final investment decision on the H2Med project is not anticipated until 2028, as communicated by Enagas CEO Arturo Gonzalo. Teresa Ribera, the Executive Vice-President for a Clean, Just and Competitive Transition at the European Commission, has also engaged with the consortium's leaders to discuss the initiative's advancement.