SoutH2 Project Aims to Supply 4 Million Tons of Green Hydrogen
The second ministerial meeting of energy ministers for the SoutH2 Corridor project recently convened in Algiers, bringing together representatives from Algeria, Austria, Germany, Italy, and Tunisia. Held at the International Conference Center, this gathering focuses on enhancing cooperation and partnership to establish a sustainable energy future. A primary objective of the SoutH2 Corridor is to facilitate the annual transport of four million tons of green hydrogen from Algeria to Europe by 2040. This volume is anticipated to meet 10% of Europe's projected demand for this clean fuel, underscoring the project's significance for regional energy transitions.
The ambitious project outlines a pipeline extending approximately 3,000 to 3,300 kilometers, designed to connect Algerian production capacities with industrial centers in Italy, Austria, and Germany. A critical component of this initiative involves the modernization and adaptation of existing natural gas transport networks to safely accommodate hydrogen, effectively leveraging current infrastructure. Preparatory work for the SoutH2 Corridor commenced in October 2024 in Oran, marked by the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between Algeria's Sonatrach and Sonelgaz, alongside Germany's VNG, Italy's Snam and Sea Corridor, and Austria's Verbund Green Hydrogen. This agreement initiated the necessary studies to assess the feasibility and profitability of an integrated green hydrogen production and export project.
Momentum for the project received a further boost during President Abdelmadjid Tebboune's visit to Germany, where Sonatrach signed two additional Memoranda of Understanding with Robert Bosch and Siemens Energy. These agreements aim to strengthen cooperation in energy transition, specifically in areas such as electrolyzer manufacturing, hydrogen production, equipment maintenance and repair, and workforce training. Algeria is strategically positioned as a key contributor to this endeavor, benefiting from extensive land areas, substantial solar energy potential, well-developed energy infrastructure, and skilled human resources, which collectively reinforce its role as a potential green hydrogen exporter to Europe. The first ministerial meeting, held in Rome in January 2025, had previously culminated in a joint declaration of political intentions, with signatory parties committing to intensified collaboration within a common working group to advance this strategic energy project.
