On Nov 28, the European Commission announced that the Baltic Sea Hydrogen Collector (BHC) is included on its 6th list of European Projects of Common Interest (PCI).
The Commission will now submit the PCI list to the European Parliament and the Council for approval. The non-objection period for the co-legislators is expected to be finalized in Q1 2024.
BHC is a ground-breaking project that will create a first-of-its-kind offshore hydrogen pipeline infrastructure in the Baltic Sea Region to secure more energy for the Nordics and Europe. The project was initiated by the Finnish and Swedish transmission system operators Gasgrid Finland Oy and Nordion Energi AB together with the renewable energy developers OX2 and Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners.
The BHC plans to build a 1,250 km pipeline system which will transport green hydrogen produced from abundant wind resources and other renewable energy sources in the Baltic Sea Region and connect mainland Finland and Sweden with Åland and Germany. The infrastructure will unlock the potential for more energy production in the Baltic Sea Region and support the creation of an efficient, harmonized, and reliable European hydrogen market.
Hydrogen has a vital role in balancing Europe’s future energy system as it offer storage and balancing solutions. Additionally, hydrogen supports decarbonization of hard-to-abate sectors and green industrialization on a national and EU level.
By being part of the PCI-list, the BHC is deemed as a key cross-border infrastructure project that will contribute to the EU’s energy independence, climate targets and to establishing an affordable, secure and sustainable European energy system. The Parliament and the Council have two months to approve the Commission’s list. If neither of the institutions reject the Commission’s proposal, the PCI list enters into force.
The PCI status will support the BHC’s realization of a large-scale offshore hydrogen pipeline infrastructure in the Baltic Sea Region by enabling simplified permitting processes and the possibility to apply for funding from the EU’s Connecting Europe Facility program.
BHC is currently performing technical studies and investigations into possible locations that could be suitable for constructing the projected hydrogen pipeline. The pipeline is expected to be ready by 2030, depending on further decision-making.
The Baltic Sea Hydrogen Collector deemed a Project of Common Interest by the European Commission. source
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