Internal hydrogen infrastructure in Spain

Green hydrogen is a clean energy vector that does not generate polluting emissions -since it is produced from renewable energies through a water electrolysis process- and is versatile. It is therefore the perfect ally for the decarbonization of many key sectors of the economy, especially those for which electrification is not a viable solution, such as intensive industry or heavy transport.

Green hydrogen is a key element in speeding up the energy transition process towards zero net emissions. An essential vector to achieve the objectives of decarbonization, security of supply and energy sovereignty defined by the European Union in its REPowerEU plan, and by the Government of Spain in its National Energy and Climate Plan (PNIEC).

The results of the non-binding market consultation (Call For Interest) that Enagás carried out at the end of 2023 show that there is a geographical dispersion between the production and consumption of green hydrogen expected in our country and in Europe. Therefore, a hydrogen infrastructure network is needed to connect supply and demand.

A pipeline network is the most efficient alternative to transport green hydrogen and make it accessible to multiple consumers, contributing to energy sovereignty and the competitive decarbonization of Spain.

Developing a hydrogen infrastructure network is essential for Spain to take advantage of the enormous opportunity to be the great European reference in the production and export of green hydrogen, thanks to its privileged geographical position, great renewable potential, industrial and technological capabilities, and its solid network of energy infrastructures.

The renewable hydrogen transported by the Spanish backbone network will be used to replace the existing demand for gray hydrogen, natural gas and the consumption of other fossil fuels in industrial processes and the transport sector, fundamentally.

Green hydrogen will have a significant impact on those industrial sectors that are difficult to electrify, such as the oil refining, chemical (mainly fertilizers) and metallurgical sectors. It is also expected to have applications in other industries such as ceramics, glass and cement.

Renewable hydrogen will also play a very important role in the decarbonization of road mobility -especially heavy transport-, aviation and the maritime sector, due to its difficult electrification. Transport will have to increase year by year the consumption of renewable fuels of non-biological origin (RFNBO): mainly hydrogen and derivatives, in order to comply with European regulations.

Spain’s future hydrogen infrastructure network has significant benefits:

1. Climate action: this project is key in Spain’s decarbonization process and will help reduce carbon emissions, which is essential to curb climate change. It will also contribute to achieving the goal of having a 100% renewable energy system by 2050.
2. Key energy for Spanish industry: access to an indigenous, safe, 100% renewable energy vector for the competitive decarbonization of our industrial fabric.
3. Positive economic impact: the hydrogen network will have a tractor effect on various economic sectors. Together with the H2med corridor, it is estimated that its construction will have an impact on GDP estimated at 4,706 million euros. Its operation will bring in an additional €115 million annually.
4. Job creation: the construction of the hydrogen network will create approximately 17,000 jobs. In addition, its operation and maintenance will help maintain another 900 jobs each year.

Environmental protection is a key priority at all stages of the project. An initial identification and evaluation of potential environmental impacts has been carried out at a general level and preventive and corrective measures have been defined to minimize them.x

The environmental impact of the project is mainly concentrated on the construction activities necessary for the development of the infrastructures and its magnitude will depend on the environmental characteristics of each of the environments in which the project is developed. In any case, the effects will be recoverable once the works are completed, with the restitution and revegetation of the affected land.

Environmental monitoring will be carried out during the execution of the project to ensure that the measures are effective and that the established environmental standards are met.

More information here.

During the year 2024, the necessary studies have been carried out to complete the conceptual engineering of the project and, at present, the basic engineering works are being developed that will allow the design of the facilities that make up the project to be finalized.

At the same time, the documentation and deployment process of the Public Participation Conceptual Plan (PCPP) is being developed. This is a requirement established in the European regulation for the so-called Projects of Common Interest (PCI), with the aim of identifying from an early stage the sensitivities and concerns about the project in the territory where the infrastructure would be implemented. The deployment of this public participation process will be carried out from April 2025 and is expected to be completed in October 2026. More information here.

According to the schedule established in the project planning, it is estimated that the hydrogen backbone will be completed and commissioned in 2030.

Green hydrogen is considered safe for the population if it is handled correctly and proper safety measures are implemented. It is not toxic to humans or wildlife and is not corrosive to materials. However, it is flammable, so it must be handled, stored and used with caution and applying the most stringent safety procedures and standards to minimize and keep under control the possible risks associated with its handling.

The design and construction of the hydrogen network will take into account the highest international design, operation and maintenance standards. Systems will be used to guarantee the integrity of the facilities and anticipate possible anomalies, based on continuous monitoring of cathodic protection and periodic inspection for early detection of any deviations. Remote control and isolation systems will also be used to isolate a section of pipeline that could be affected by an incident.

Spain has the potential to produce the most competitive renewable hydrogen in Europe, which, in the first place, will serve to cover the needs of the national industry, transporting the hydrogen through the Spanish backbone network. In addition, this network will also contribute to the development of the H2med project, promoted by Spain, Portugal, France and Germany. The H2med corridor will allow the surplus national production to be sent to Europe and has an export capacity of up to 2 million tons of renewable hydrogen per year, equivalent to 20% of the hydrogen production expected in 2030 in the EU, according to REPowerEU.