In April, the European Hydrogen Backbone (EHB) group, formed by Gasgrid Finland and 22 other European gas transmission network operators, published its vision for the development of a nearly 40,000 km European hydrogen transmission infrastructure by 2040. Now the EHB group has commissioned an analysis of future hydrogen demand, supply, and transport by 2050. The analysis complements the vision presented in April.
According to EHB’s analysis, demand for hydrogen will increase to around 2,300 terawatt hours by 2050, corresponding to 20-25% of future energy demand in the EU and the UK. The total expected hydrogen demand could potentially be met by green hydrogen produced in the EU and UK, using renewable electricity, but import is also likely. Producing such quantities of green hydrogen within EU and UK is subject to public acceptance of an accelerated expansion of renewable installed capacity, financing, regulation and quality standard setting. It is anticipated that the economics of green hydrogen production costs will improve, allowing a rapid scale-up.
The European Hydrogen Backbone infrastructure is essential for the creation of a hydrogen market and a cost-effective alternative to energy transport, when the desired end-product is hydrogen. Hydrogen is crucial to decarbonise industry, in particular chemicals, iron and steel, and fuel production. Hydrogen is also expected to play an important role in providing dispatchable electricity, as a heavy transport fuel and in some countries in the heating of buildings
“In Finland, green hydrogen production could significantly exceed our own needs, which would create a notable clean energy and technology export potential e.g. to Central Europe, where demand for hydrogen exceeds regional supply. This would create many new jobs in our country”, describes Olli Sipilä, CEO of Gasgrid Finland.
The analysis results are presented in a webinar 15 June at 1 to 2.30 pm Finnish time. Sign up at: https://gasforclimate2050.eu/news-item/kadri-simson-to-give-statement-at-upcoming-ehb-webinar/
More information about EHB and report download: https://gasforclimate2050.eu/ehb/
More information:
Olli Sipilä, CEO, Gasgrid Finland Oy, p. +358 40 589 4686, olli.sipila@gasgrid.fi
Sara Kärki, Head of Strategic Analysis & RDI, +358 40 158 1722, sara.karki@gasgrid.fi
Gasgrid Finland Oy is a Finnish state-owned company and transmission system operator with system responsibility. We offer our customers safe, reliable and cost-efficient transmission of gases. We actively develop our transmission platform, services and the gas market in a customer-oriented manner to promote the carbon-neutral energy and raw material system of the future. Find out more: www.gasgrid.fi/
The European Hydrogen Backbone initiative consists of a growing group of now 23 European gas infrastructure companies, working together to plan a pan-European dedicated hydrogen transport infrastructure to achieve climate and energy targets. https://gasforclimate2050.eu/ehb/