European Union plans to build hydrogen pipelines to North Africa

Declaration of intent for a ‘hydrogen corridor’ between Algeria and Tunisia

Declaration of intent for a « hydrogen corridor » from 2030 between Algeria, Tunisia, and EU countries signed / Imports are expected to replace 40% of energy supplies from Russia / Critics see a new form of colonialism

At a ministerial meeting on January 21 in Rome, politicians from Germany, Italy, and Austria, as well as from Algeria and Tunisia, signed a « declaration of intent (JDol) for the development of the southern hydrogen corridor. » It is referred to as the « SouthH2 Corridor » and is expected to be « fully operational » by 2030. Representatives from industry interested in contracts for the construction of the necessary infrastructure were also invited.

The European Union (EU) considers the project to be a « cornerstone of the European energy security and decarbonization strategy » and it has been recognized by the EU Commission as a « Project of Common Interest (PCI), » according to a press release from the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action (BMWK). The aim is to harness the « immense potential of North Africa for renewable energy » to achieve the EU’s climate goals. Pipelines of up to 4,000 kilometers in length between North Africa and the EU are expected to establish a « link between renewable hydrogen production in North Africa and demand centers in the European Union, » according to the BMWK press release. Furthermore, according to the project’s website, a hydrogen market could be developed in Southeastern Europe.

L’UE vise le « potentiel immense de l’Afrique du Nord en matière d’énergies renouvelables »

The « SouthH2 Corridor » is expected to cover more than 40% of the EU’s import target for replacing fossil fuels from Russia. For Germany, the project could advance the « hydrogen ramp-up, » as the country would need to import 50 to 70% of the desired hydrogen. Existing natural gas pipelines on EU soil are expected to be converted. The majority of the route runs through Italian territory. A partnership with the long-distance network operator Bayernets is intended to ensure the transfer of hydrogen to Bavaria. The planned route passes through the Austrian cities of Vienna and Linz, as well as Burghausen and Ingolstadt in Germany. Hydrogen infrastructure projects are planned along the corridor « from Sicily to Bavaria. » In conjunction with the ministerial meeting, a « business forum » was held for companies interested in the hydrogen supply chain. The main buyers of hydrogen are expected to be industrial companies whose manufacturing processes cannot easily be electrified.

The benefits for North African countries include economic diversification, state export revenues, and jobs created through local value creation. Last year, Tunisia signed a series of « Memorandums of Understanding » (MoU) with energy companies from France, the United Kingdom, Austria, Germany, and Saudi Arabia to develop into a major producer and exporter of green hydrogen. By 2050, the country aims to reach a capacity of eight million tons of hydrogen, with more than three-quarters intended for export to the EU.

The « Working Group for Energy Democracy in Tunisia, » along with other social organizations, criticizes the forced expansion of hydrogen production for export as a new form of « plundering and exploitation. » Africa is « not Europe’s battery. » Instead of using its own potential for renewable energy to address the domestic energy crisis, Tunisia is focusing on export. The lobbying of the state-funded German Society for International Cooperation (GIZ) is blamed for the development of Tunisia’s hydrogen strategy.

Tunisia will need to import high-quality industrial products such as electrolyzers. Additionally, the country will have to provide natural resources such as water, land, and solar energy at low prices and bear the ecological and social costs. To produce the planned amount of hydrogen, seawater will need to be desalinated in an energy-intensive process, which could meet the needs of half of Tunisia’s population. Furthermore, negative impacts are feared due to the land requirements for wind and solar parks, such as the displacement of local residents and the acquisition of large areas by corporations (land grabbing).

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Source : Multipolar, January 30, 2025

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