In November, NET4GAS hosted the Czech Hydrogen Backbone Dialogue in Prague where all partners involved in the creation of the Central European Hydrogen Corridor (CEHC) had the opportunity to meet with key European energy and industry representatives. Together, they discussed the progress towards their goal to transit affordable, renewable and low-emission hydrogen from places of production to the end users.
At the conference, organised by NET4GAS and held under the auspices of the Czech Ministry of Industry & Trade (MIT), plans and agreements on joint actions for implementing related projects have been presented.
A look at the map of the future European hydrogen transport system shows that the hydrogen gas infrastructure in the Czech Republic together with adjacent transmission infrastructures can connect future renewable hydrogen sources in the North and Baltic Sea regions, Ukraine, Southern Europe, Turkey and North Africa with the relevant European end-users.
“The Czech Republic is ready to become a key player in this area of transport and supply of hydrogen. In order to succeed, we need to work together with transmission system operators, hydrogen producers, large consumers and experts from various fields. This cooperation is already underway,” says Minister of Industry and Trade Lukáš Vlček, adding that hydrogen can make an important contribution to achieving European decarbonisation targets, among other things.
To speed up the construction of hydrogen corridors, gas transmission system operators GTSOU, Eustream, NET4GAS and OGE will apply to the European Commission this year for the so-called EU Projects of Common Interest (PCI/PMI) status. PCI status will enable faster project approvals and thus accelerate the construction of hydrogen infrastructure to meet the growing demand for hydrogen across Europe efficiently. This infrastructure will also contribute to reducing Europe’s dependence on energy imports and fossil fuels.
