Connecting Supply with Demand through the European Hydrogen Backbone

The European Hydrogen Backbone (EHB) initiative has released an analysis of the future demand, supply, and transport of hydrogen across Europe. This study, prepared by Guidehouse, complements the recently published EHB maps, which outline a hydrogen pipeline network of nearly 40,000 km by 2040 that connects 19 EU member states plus the UK and Switzerland.

The analysis, Analysing Future Demand, Supply, and Transport of Hydrogen, estimates a demand of 2,300 TWh of hydrogen in the EU and the UK by 2050, which corresponds to 20-25% of future energy demand. It suggests there is sufficient potential to produce this quantity as green and blue hydrogen within the EU and UK, with hydrogen imports from neighboring regions also likely. In addition, the analysis explains that pipeline transport would be more cost-effective than seaborne transport and powerlines.

 “Hydrogen is crucial to ensuring that Europe becomes a climate-neutral continent,” said Anthony Wang, senior consultant at Guidehouse and main author of the analysis. “This analysis shows that domestic supply potential within the EU and UK exceeds projected hydrogen demand and repurposing the existing gas infrastructure would play a key role in connecting hydrogen supply and demand locations.”

The analysis represents the collective views of Guidehouse and the following 23 gas transmission companies from across Europe: Creos, DESFA, Elering, Enagás, Energinet, Eustream, FGSZ, Fluxys Belgium, Gas Connect Austria, Gasgrid Finland, Gasunie, Gaz-System, Gas Networks Ireland, GRTgaz, National Grid, NET4GAS, Nordion Energi, OGE, ONTRAS, Plinovodi, Snam, TAG, and Teréga.

The analysis was discussed in a webinar and is available for replay below.

Webinar replay