Nordic-Baltic Hydrogen Corridor

The aim of the Nordic-Baltic Hydrogen Corridor (NBHC) project is to develop hydrogen infrastructure from Finland via Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and Poland to Germany in the early 2030s. The objective is to transport renewable hydrogen between these six countries.

The project partners are the gas transmission system operators Gasgrid (Finland), Elering (Estonia), Conexus Baltic Grid (Latvia), Amber Grid (Lithuania), GAZ-SYSTEM (Poland) and Ontras (Germany). Gasgrid’s role is specifically linked to the development of a transmission network covering southern Finland and the development of the Baltic Sea region market.

The NBHC project promotes a sustainable energy economy and the EU’s transition to a cleaner energy system by connecting the production and consumption of renewable and low‑carbon hydrogen across six EU Member States. The project supports the achievement of both EU‑level and regional climate targets and forms part of the EU’s REPowerEU plan, which aims to diversify the EU’s energy sources, reduce energy consumption and accelerate the clean energy transition. The project is linked to the EU Hydrogen Strategy, the European Green Deal and the Fit for 55 package.

The pipeline will strengthen national security of supply and security of delivery in Europe. According to estimates, the planned pipeline could at best reduce carbon dioxide emissions by up to 37 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalent per year by 2050.

In the first phase of the NBHC project, a feasibility pre‑study was conducted and completed in summer 2024. The key findings of the pre‑study are presented in the NBHC pre‑study annex. The pre‑study defined the key prerequisites for the implementation of the NBHC hydrogen pipeline. According to the study, the approximately 2,500‑kilometre‑long hydrogen pipeline could enable the transport of up to 2.7 million tonnes (Mt) of renewable hydrogen per year between the countries by 2040.

During 2025, the project advanced to the feasibility study phase, which has received EU funding under the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF). In this phase, the project will develop an updated view of the pipeline’s technical solution and its commercial preconditions. The project will also assess each national pipeline section separately, taking into account specific national needs. The feasibility study phase will continue until spring 2027.

The Nordic-Baltic Hydrogen Corridor project was granted EU Project of Common Interest (PCI) status in April 2024. The aim of PCI projects is to build more integrated and sustainable energy markets within the EU and to support the achievement of energy and climate objectives.

PCI status may be granted to projects that are essential to the EU’s internal energy market and to achieving energy and climate policy goals: affordable, secure and sustainably produced energy, as well as the reduction of carbon dioxide emissions. To obtain PCI status, projects must have a significant impact on energy markets and market integration in at least two EU Member States, increase competition in energy markets and improve the EU’s energy security, for example by integrating renewable energy sources.

PCI status enables streamlined permitting procedures and eligibility to apply for funding from the EU’s Connecting Europe Facility (CEF). The project was awarded a total of EUR 6.8 million in CEF funding. The funding supports the project’s progress towards implementation and contributes to the development of a European hydrogen economy.