Germany, Italy to co-operate on adapting gas pipelines from Tunisia to carry hydrogen

Italy and Germany are planning to convert gas pipelines into hydrogen-carrying ones to support Germany's efforts to decarbonize its industry.

The two countries aim to work together on expanding the southern corridor for gas and hydrogen, with plans for a new pipeline across the Alps from Bavaria to Tunisia, according to Euractiv.

This pipeline, known as the South Central Corridor, is part of a project that builds on existing natural gas pipelines and aims to import 10 million tonnes of hydrogen by 2030.

The companies involved say that 70% of existing gas pipelines could be repurposed to transport hydrogen but whether Tunisia can provide sufficient amounts of the gas is still unclear.

The pipeline would connect demand centers in Italy, Germany, Austria, and Switzerland, contributing to the creation of a more extensive European hydrogen network.

Germany is planning to consume up to 4 million tonnes every year by 2030 as Tunisia is aiming to produce 8.3 million tonnes of hydrogen annually by 2050.