H2Med CelZa hydrogen interconnector

2026-07-22

The objective of the PCI 9.1.2 Hydrogen interconnector Portugal – Spain (H2Med-CelZa) is to construct a pipeline that enables the transport of green hydrogen (H2) from Portugal to Spain, becoming a key enabler for the larger H2Med corridor. The H2Med project is a transnational initiative to interconnect the hydrogen networks of the Iberian Peninsula to Northwest Europe, enabling Europe’s affordable green hydrogen supply by 2030. It consists of two main cross-border infrastructure projects: CelZa (PT-ES) and BarMar (ES-FR). In particular, PCI 9.1.2 CelZa will be the starting section of the Iberian corridor, enabling the transport of the Portuguese green hydrogen surplus to Spain, which will then supply the Northwestern and Central part of Europe via the Spanish H2 backbone and BarMar. Enagas Infraestructuras de Hidrógeno (EIH), as Coordinator, and REN Gasodutos, as Beneficiary, intend to develop a pipeline of approximately 248 km (of which 162 km will be located in Portugal and 86 km will be located in Spain), extending from Celorico da Beira (PT) to Zamora (ES), where a compressor station will be situated. CelZa will consist of a 100% green hydrogen dedicated pipeline infrastructure that will be the prime export medium for hydrogen produced in Portugal from renewable energy sources, namely solar and wind. It will be the starting point of the Iberian hydrogen corridor which, together with the Nordic/Baltic corridor, aims to be the only corridor in Europe providing 100% renewable (green) hydrogen produced within the EU to demand centres in the EU by 2030. The current CEF-E funded studies focus on the basic and more-advanced engineering, permitting procedures and socio-economic assessment of the future works. The key expected outcome of these studies is to complete the Basic Engineering and Detailed Engineering of the Portuguese and Spanish hydrogen pipeline facilities and the extended basic engineering of the Spanish Zamora compressor station. The project also aims to address and eliminate significant commercial barriers. The studies will deliver a thorough evaluation of the technical, financial, environmental, and permitting aspects of the green hydrogen corridor. This includes an economic assessment featuring a market test, a cost-benefit analysis (CBA), the development of a commercially viable business case, and a cross-border cost allocation (CBCA) to ensure fair allocation of costs and benefits among all stakeholders. These studies will be concluded in 2027 and are a crucial step to ensure that the infrastructure is operational by 2030, thereby playing an essential role in achieving the European Union renewable hydrogen targets.

Spain

2026-01-01