French-Spanish Joint Venture to Develop BarMar Hydrogen Pipeline
Key Ideas
- French TSO Natran and partners form a joint venture to develop the BarMar hydrogen pipeline connecting Barcelona to Marseille.
- Ownership split: EIH-Enagás holds 50%, Natran 33.3%, and Teréga 16.7%. The project is part of the H2Med initiative aiming to link Portugal, Spain, France, and Germany by 2030.
- Expected to transport 2 Mt/year of renewable hydrogen, contributing to 10% of the EU's hydrogen consumption by 2030, supporting the EU's green hydrogen strategy.
- The European Union views green hydrogen as vital to reducing natural gas dependency and cutting carbon emissions.
The French gas transmission system operator Natran, in partnership with Teréga and Enagás, is collaborating to develop the BarMar hydrogen pipeline, a crucial component of the H2Med project connecting multiple European countries. This joint venture, with EIH-Enagás holding 50% ownership, Natran 33.3%, and Teréga 16.7%, signifies a significant step towards advancing hydrogen infrastructure. The BarMar pipeline, from Barcelona to Marseille, is part of the €2.5bn initiative aiming to interconnect Portugal, Spain, France, and Germany by 2030. It is projected to facilitate the transportation of up to 2 Mt/year of renewable hydrogen, playing a substantial role in meeting the EU's hydrogen consumption targets. The final investment decision for the project is anticipated in 2028. Green hydrogen is highlighted by the European Union as a key element in transitioning away from natural gas and achieving lower carbon emissions, emphasizing the strategic importance of projects like H2Med in the region's energy landscape.