For the most part, the project partners said, the hydrogen – which would be produced by wind power – could be fed into existing gas pipelines. Experts say the pipeline conversions could take up to five years as they must be retrofitted to withstand the more aggressive hydrogen.

The first pipelines are to be converted in the eastern German states between Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania and Thuringia, starting in 2025, with the western states of Hesse and Rhineland-Palatinate to be connected from 2028 and Baden-Württemberg and Bavaria by 2030.

After the network is linked to an offshore wind park along the coast of the Danish island Bornholm, which is expected for 2027, hydrogen could reach Austria, Czech Republic, Poland and France by 2030.

Separately, the German utility partners are working on logistics for their respective geographic areas. Distributors are also lining up to help develop the market, with the first customers for the new green hydrogen deliveries expected to be chemical producers.

As part of VNG 2030+ strategy, the gas producer of the same name and its subsidiaries, partly in cooperation with independent renewable power company Total Eren, said last month they planned to build a hydrogen and carbon hub near Rostock on the German Baltic Sea coast.

US industrial gases producer Air Products and Oiltanking Deutschland, part of the Mabanaft group, are working on a plan of their own to import hydrogen into Germany from Air Products’ worldwide facilities.

Up to now, observers of the proposed projects have noted the lack of existing infrastructure to transport the renewable fuel and feedstock from ports to German customers.

Author: Dede Williams, Freelance Journalist