H2med projects secures CEF Funding for over 35 million euro, opening a new chapter for the Southwestern Hydrogen Corridor

On 30th of January, the European Climate, Infrastructure and Environment Executive Agency (CINEA) awarded 35,558,850 euro of grants for the H2med project studies submitted to the 2024 CEF energy call. CINEA has invited the H2med promoters to prepare a Grant Agreement, following a successful selection of a proposal for the mentioned studies. After the inclusion of the H2med projects, CelZa and BarMar, into the list of European Project of Common interest (PCI) in 2024, this is the next major administrative and financial step of the project. The H2med partners look forward to working with CINEA for the next milestones of the CEF funds granting.

The 28,336,978 euro funding will allow the H2med BarMar consortium to partially finance engineering studies, including marine and environmental reconnaissance campaigns. For the H2Med CelZa Project, the 7,221,872 euro funds will be utilised to execute the basic and detailed engineering phases for the pipeline and compressor station. Additionally, for both projects, the funds will support all necessary work for environmental assessments and obtaining of permits.

Following the results of the engineering studies, the H2med promoters will apply to another CEF Energy call for works to make the final investment decision.

The attribution of the CEF funds show both the technical advancement of the project but also the key role of the corridor in the future European hydrogen economy and the creation of an entire value-chain during the early 2030s. Furthermore, the H2med project will stimulate the involved countries’ economies and accelerate their decarbonation trajectories.

Last December, in Madrid, ahead of CEF attribution, the consortium launched the H2med Alliance and signed a MoU between German and Spanish government representatives, the 5 TSOs and other companies along the value chain active in all countries of the corridor supporting the initiative. This alliance will play a crucial coordination role, ensuring continued support and advocacy for the corridor through targeted engagements and regular meetings. If you are interested in taking part in the initiative, please reach out to the TSO responsible for your geographical zone.

On the commercial side, results are also showing a positive momentum: following the closure of the non-binding Call for Interest (CFI) in early January, the H2med team is organising a webinar on February 10th, at 10 a.m. CET, to present the figures and implications raised during this call to the market. Details to follow soon.

About the companies involved:

Enagás is a Transmission System Operator (TSO) with 50 years’ experience in the development, operation and maintenance of energy infrastructure. It has more than 12,000 kilometres of gas pipelines, three underground storage facilities and eight regasification plants. The company operates in seven countries. In Spain it is the Technical Manager of the Gas System and, according to the Royal Decree-Law 8/2023, Enagás may operate as provisional Hydrogen Transmission Network Operator (HTNO) and develop H2med, the Spanish hydrogen network and associated storage facilities. In line with its commitment to energy transition, Enagás has announced its goal of becoming carbon neutral by 2040, with a firm commitment to decarbonisation and the promotion of renewable gases, especially hydrogen.
Find out more at: https://www.enagas.es/en/
Press contact: Jorge Álvarez – dircom@enagas.es – (+34) 630 384 930.

NaTran: NaTran is the new name of GRTgaz. The year 2025 marks the 20th anniversary of the company, which is opening a new page in its history by changing its name and adapting a NaTran2030 corporate project focused on the energy transition and carbon neutrality. To achieve this, the company is adapting its network and practices to the ecological, economic and digital challenges. It offers infrastructure and logistics adapted to gases that are part of the energy transition (biomethane, H2 and CO2). NaTran is the 2nd largest gas transmission operator in Europe. The Group has two subsidiaries: Elengy (Europe’s leading LNG terminal operator) and NaTran Deutschland (operator of the MEGAL network). NaTran carries out public service missions aimed at guaranteeing safe gas transport for its customers. Its NaTran R&I research centre (formerly RICE) is an international benchmark in research and innovation applied to the energy transition. NaTran Group key figures: 33,800 km of pipelines, 680 TWh of gas transported, nearly 3,800 employees, €2.6 billion in 2023. To find out more about NaTran and its initiatives, visit NaTrangroupe.com, X, LinkedIn, Instagram.
Press contact: Chafia BACI – chafia.baci@grtgaz.com – +33 (0)6 40 48 54 40

OGE is one of Europe’s leading transmission system operators. With our approximately 12,000 kilometres of pipeline network, we transport gas throughout Germany and, due to our geographical location, we are the link for gas flows in the European single market. Our approximately 2,000 employees of the OGE group stand for security of supply. We make our network available to all market participants on a non-discriminatory, market-oriented and transparent basis. We make energy flow. For more information about the company, please visit www.oge.net.
Press contact: Kristian Peters-Lach – kristian.peters-lach@oge.net – (+49) 201 3642–12622

REN – Gasodutos, S.A. is the Portuguese gas TSO and part of REN – Redes Energéticas Nacionais, SGPS, S.A., a group of companies that integrates the Portuguese electricity TSO, as well as other gas activities concessions in Portugal such as, the Sines LNG Terminal, the underground storage and one gas distribution company. Besides its operation in Portugal, REN also has gas and electric grid assets in Chile and a share in the Cahora Bassa power plant in Mozambique. REN – Gasodutos, S.A. is responsible for the planning, design, construction, operation and maintenance of more than 1,300 km of high-pressure pipelines in Portugal and for the national gas system technical management.
Find us at https://www.ren.pt/
Press contact: Paulo Camacho – paulo.camacho@ren.pt – (+351) 929 029 187

Teréga – Located in the Greater South-West, a crossroads of major European gas flows, Teréga has been deploying exceptional know-how in the development of gas transport and storage infrastructures for more than 80 years and is now designing innovative solutions to meet the major energy challenges in France and Europe. A true accelerator of the energy transition, Teréga has more than 5000 km of pipelines and two underground storage facilities representing respectively 15.6% of the French gas transmission network and 26.9% of the national storage capacity. In 2023, the company achieved a turnover of €494 million (excluding congestion balancing) and has 646 employees. Social responsibility is at the heart of Teréga’s strategy, which is committed to the energy transition towards carbon neutrality. Teréga deploys programmes in all ESG (Environment, Social and Governance) areas: the safety of its employees and the safety of its infrastructure via the PARI 2035 programme, the sustainable development of territories and social responsibility via the ENERGIZ MOUV programme, the support of philanthropic projects through the Teréga Energies Accelerator endowment fund, and the reduction of environmental impacts through the BE POSITIF programme with a commitment to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by -34% by 2030 compared to 2021 across scopes 1, 2 and 3, which would make it possible to achieve -54% on scopes 1 and 2 compared to 2017.
Find us at https://www.terega.fr/
Céline DALLEST – celine.dallest@terega.fr – (+33)6 38 89 11 07