Italian H2 Backbone

ongoing

The project contributes to the implementation of the Project of Common European Interest (PCI) 10.1.1 ‘Italian H2 Backbone’, which aims at establishing a hydrogen pipeline connecting North Africa with Europe. This PCI concerns approx. 1920 km of pipelines (more than 60% repurposed) and several hundred MW of compression capacity. Together, the envisaged infrastructure will allow for H2 import at Mazara del Vallo (Sicily) entry point at 4.4 Mt/y and from Austria at up to 1.7 Mt/y. Furthermore, the PCI will allow H2 export to Austria up to 1.7 Mt/y. The project covers feasibility, environmental studies and field activities for the new and converted pipelines of the PCI 10.1.1, as well as for the compressor stations. The feasibility study will evaluate all the necessary technical aspects of the PCI, including the routing of new segments, the project’s safety during repurposing adaptations, technical feasibility, design basis for compressor stations and economic viability. The project will also include field engineering and environmental activities, focussing on gathering empirical data through on-site investigations such as topographical, geological surveys, geognostic investigations and environmental studies. Upon completion, the studies will ensure that the PCI is both strategically planned and practically grounded. The work packages will provide the practical, on-the-ground data necessary for refining the pipeline’s design and ensuring that it can be built safely and sustainably. The results will establish a solid foundation for the subsequent permitting process, enabling the timely development of the Italian H2 Backbone.