Bilateral Talks Bolster Algeria-Italy Green Hydrogen Ties
Algeria and Italy have advanced their energy cooperation, with Italian Minister of Environment and Energy Security Gilberto Pichetto Fratin holding discussions with Algerian Minister of Energy and Renewable Energies Mourad Adjal in Algiers. The meeting underscored the strong existing energy relationship between the two nations and aimed to explore further opportunities for collaboration, particularly concerning green hydrogen. Minister Pichetto Fratin emphasized that hydrogen is a foundational solution for Italy to meet its decarbonization targets and achieve climate neutrality by 2050. He also highlighted its role in bolstering energy security through supply diversification, aligning with Italy's Mattei Plan which promotes shared benefits and development.
These bilateral discussions took place during the second Pentaministerial meeting focused on the SoutH2 Corridor, an ambitious project designed to transport 4 million metric tons of green hydrogen annually from North Africa to Europe. Spanning over 3,000 kilometers, this corridor is projected to meet 10 percent of Europe's anticipated clean fuel demand by 2040. Algeria is a key participant in this initiative alongside Tunisia, Italy, Austria, and Germany. Recognized by the European Union as a Project of Common Interest, the SoutH2 Corridor utilizes an efficient engineering model that involves repurposing approximately 70 percent of existing natural gas transit networks for hydrogen transport, significantly reducing initial investments.
Algeria is demonstrating its significant potential as a large-scale producer of highly competitive solar and wind-powered green hydrogen. The foundational work for the project began in October 2024, when Algerian national companies Sonatrach and Sonelgaz signed a memorandum of understanding with a European consortium comprising Germany’s VNG, Italy’s Snam and Sea Corridor, and Austria’s Verbund Green Hydrogen. Further reinforcing this strategic direction, President Abdelmadjid Tebboune's visit to Germany last July led to Sonatrach finalizing agreements with Robert Bosch and Siemens Energy. These partnerships aim to develop local electrolyzer manufacturing, specialized maintenance protocols, and workforce training, ensuring Algeria builds an integrated industrial ecosystem for green hydrogen production and export.
