“Green Hydrogen Pipeline: Ambitious Plans or Unrealistic Expectations for EU, Algeria, and Tunisia?”

The European Union, along with Algeria and Tunisia, has announced plans to build a subsea pipeline to export green hydrogen to the EU by 2030. This project, known as the SoutH2 Corridor, aims to bring clean fuel generated with renewable energy from North Africa to the EU, with the potential to supply over 40% of the EU’s target for importing 10 million tonnes of green hydrogen by 2030.

However, experts have raised concerns about the feasibility of this project. Analysis of Algeria and Tunisia’s green hydrogen strategies suggests that both countries may not be ready to export significant quantities of hydrogen by 2030. Despite the hype surrounding green hydrogen, challenges remain for North Africa to become a major exporter of the fuel to the EU within the next decade.

The pipeline, which will be 3,500-4,000 kilometers long and run under the Mediterranean Sea, aims to connect hydrogen production centers in Algeria and Tunisia to consumer hubs in Austria, Germany, and Italy. While the project is seen as crucial for developing an interconnected hydrogen backbone in the EU, questions have been raised about the timing and feasibility of the export plans.

Algeria and Tunisia currently do not produce green hydrogen at scale, with both countries relying heavily on gas for electricity generation. While they have released green hydrogen strategies, large-scale production is not expected until the mid-2030s. By 2030, the pipeline is projected to have the capacity to import 4 million tonnes of hydrogen per year into the EU, but Algeria and Tunisia anticipate exporting only around 330,000 tonnes combined by then.

Experts warn that the EU should not rely on receiving green hydrogen from Algeria and Tunisia by 2030, citing delays in green hydrogen production projects and the challenges of massive infrastructure projects like pipelines. The International Energy Agency reports that less than 1% of global hydrogen production in 2023 was green or low emissions hydrogen, highlighting the slow growth in the sector.

Some experts question whether Algeria and Tunisia should prioritize exporting green hydrogen to Europe over meeting their own energy needs. With water scarcity and climate change exacerbating challenges in the region, concerns have been raised about diverting scarce resources towards green hydrogen production for export.

While the EU remains committed to its green hydrogen import targets, critics urge caution and a reality check on the feasibility of such ambitious plans. The SoutH2 Corridor project highlights the complexities and challenges of transitioning to a green hydrogen economy, with experts emphasizing the need for sustainable water management and domestic energy priorities in North Africa.