Spain’s hydrogen backbone network aims to become a supplier or “hub” of this material for Europe’s major industrial regions, including Germany, to which up to 2.5 million tonnes could be exported.
It was the CEO of Enagás, Arturo Gonzalo, who announced that the company would appear in Berlin on October 18 to hold a “great presentation event” of the Spanish infrastructure and to put H2Med on the map.
“It is a great opportunity for Spain, after meeting the internal needs of our country, to also be a supplier of these needs of the major industrial regions of Europe,” noted Gonzalo at the end of a “call for expressions of interest” to explain the axes of the Spanish Hydrogen backbone network and arouse the interest of companies in this regard.
The manager added that the presentation event in Germany is supported by the Ministry for Ecological Transition, the State Secretary for Energy, as well as the German government and the European Commission.
LOOKING FOR COMPANIES
The General Director of Energy Transition at Enagás, Natalia Latorre, also participated in the “Call for expressions of interest” which ends at the end of November and the results of which are expected to be published in January 2024; and the company’s hydrogen director, Jesús Gil.
The fact is that the Spanish natural gas and transport network operator (TSO) only manages this backbone gas transport network, which will be used for hydrogen in the future. In this way, the cooperation of traders who deliver the fuel to the consumption points via the secondary network is required.
After the “Call for Interest” a second phase of the “Open Season” begins, also non-binding; to reach a third and final binding stage, which is expected to take place in 2025.
The presentation, in the words of the CEO, has aroused the interest of “exceedingly Spanish” players, both in the production of hydrogen and its carriers in the country, whose ultimate objective is to meet the needs of green hydrogen consumers in Spain.
“Mostly Spanish” interest
Gonzalo has emphasized that Enagás’ role in the hydrogen race is to act as a catalyst for this market, with the principles of openness, transparency and confidentiality. To complete this query, ammonia, carbon dioxide (CO2), oxygen and water were included.
“We want to have a common vision of the infrastructures,” explained the CEO, who highlighted the importance of this common “photo” of the network since it could represent an “important support” for the projects that come from Spain to the auctions of the European Hydrogen Bank is brought into being.
Likewise, he has assured that all participating agents will be treated “absolutely” equally, especially Enagás Renovables, which will be treated “exactly the same as the others”. Gonzalo has also commented that this photo will allow the necessary adjustments so that, for example, certain sections of the network can be moved or that it reaches places that are not currently foreseen in the original plans. He has also stressed that the process will be in line with the government’s regulatory, regulatory and planning initiatives.
“This ‘Call for Expressions of Interest’ is a great opportunity for everyone to implement the definition of hydrogen transport and storage infrastructure in our country in a way shared with all stakeholders,” emphasized the CEO, who concluded by encouraging all companies to participate in the process.
