Germany and Denmark deepen hydrogen cooperation further

LONDON (ICIS)–Transmission system operators (TSO) from Denmark and Germany, Energinet and Gasunie Deutschland respectively, signed on 16 November an agreement of cooperation on the next steps to develop the Danish-German hydrogen network.

The aim of the agreement is to work on the link between both countries that could enable the transport of large quantities of renewable hydrogen from Denmark to the German market. The cross-border hydrogen corridor is expected to start operations in 2028.

This cooperation intends to establish a formal framework which enables close coordination between companies and organisations involved in the development of the required infrastructure on both sides of the border.

One of the aims of this cross-border corridor it to grant an open access interconnection in accordance with the European legal framework.

The international network will consist of 550km of lines from northern Denmark to southern Hamburg in Germany.

The managing director of Gasunie Deutschland, Britta van Boven, said “With our cooperation, we are creating a high-performance hydrogen import highway to connect the upcoming demand and supply for this climate-friendly energy source”.

BACKGROUND

This international network consists of two sectors, on the Danish side it is the ‘Backbone West’ project while it is “Hyperlink 3” on the German side.

Hyperlink 3 is part of the wider Hyperlink project and the section named 3, runs from Ellund near the Danish-German border towards Heidenau, south of Hamburg. Hyperlink is developed in accordance with regulations of the finalised hydrogen core network.

Backbone West’ is the country’s first large-scale hydrogen pipeline project that aims to connect production sites, storage facilities with the hydrogen interconnector on the border with Germany.

The project has a strategy of building new lines as well as converting natural gas pipelines, the construction is planned for 2028 at the earliest.