Europe’s Pipeline Buildout Driven by Energy Security and Hydrogen Goals
(P&GJ) – Pipeline upgrades and new construction across Europe continue to be driven by a convergence of geopolitical, environmental and economic factors.
Foremost among these is the ongoing shift in energy strategy following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, which exposed the continent’s vulnerability due to its heavy reliance on Russian gas.
In response, European nations and the EU collectively have prioritized energy security and diversification, leading to a wave of infrastructure projects aimed at connecting alternative sources of gas – including LNG imports and regional suppliers – to domestic markets.
These efforts include both new construction and upgrades to existing pipelines to enable reverse flows, increased capacity, and better interconnection between countries.
Parallel to this, Europe’s long-term climate goals have prompted a major rethinking of pipeline utility. Under the European Green Deal and the REPowerEU strategy, the EU is committed to achieving net-zero emissions by 2050. This has created strong momentum behind projects aimed at integrating renewable gases, particularly green hydrogen, into the continent’s energy systems.
A significant portion of ongoing and planned pipeline work now focuses on either converting existing natural gas pipelines to carry hydrogen or building new, hydrogen-dedicated infrastructure. One of the most ambitious proposals in this space is the European Hydrogen Backbone (EHB), which envisions a 24,845-mile (40,000-km) hydrogen pipeline network stretching across the continent by 2040.
The majority of Phase 1 of the Hydrogen Backbone, with significant portions located in France, Germany, Belgium and Austria, is expected to begin operations between 2026 and 2030, with future expansions planned. Many hydrogen pipelines are also being built as part of hydrogen clusters across the continent.
Other major projects been Poland’s Gas Transmission Expansion, which involves the development of 942 miles (1,516 km) of new gas pipelines by 2028. The completions of the 315-mile (508-km) Poland-Lithuania pipeline and the 165-km Poland-Slovakia, both ready in 2022, demonstrate the nation’s commitment cross-border infrastructure.
In Italy, an estimated 1,194 miles (1,923 km) of new gas pipelines, including domestic transmission and cross-border connections are being built during the next five years, with Italy looking to become the energy hub of the Mediterranean.
In the U.K., several pipelines are planned through 2028, with much of the focus being on carbon capture and storage (CCS) infrastructure. Specifically, a 90-mile (145-km) offshore pipeline, which will be part of Northern Endurance Partnership (NEP), a U.K. network that will capture and store CO2 from industrial sites, including Teesside.
The expansion of LNG) capacity is another critical driver of pipeline development. With Russian pipeline gas now largely absent from European markets, LNG imports from the United States, Qatar and African nations have surged. Coastal terminals in Germany, Poland and Croatia, among others, are being expanded or newly constructed, necessitating corresponding pipeline links to transport regasified LNG to inland demand centers.
This infrastructure is vital not just for immediate supply needs but also as a longer-term component of Europe's diversified energy strategy.
Cross-border connectivity is also a major area of focus. The EU continues to support integration of member state energy markets, especially in Central and Eastern Europe, where historic infrastructure often lacks sufficient interconnectivity.
Projects like the Balticconnector (between Finland and Estonia), the Poland-Lithuania Gas Interconnection (GIPL), and other strategic pipelines aim to reduce the isolation of national markets and improve energy solidarity across the bloc.
These pipeline projects are financed through a combination of European Union funding mechanisms, national budgets, multilateral development banks, and private investment.
The EU plays a central role, particularly through the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF), which provides grants for cross-border infrastructure deemed essential for EU-wide energy security and market integration. Hydrogen-related projects are also supported through the Innovation Fund and the Recovery and Resilience Facility, both of which promote green transition objectives.
The European Investment Bank (EIB), although no longer funding traditional fossil gas projects, remains active in supporting decarbonization-aligned infrastructure, including hydrogen transport. Similarly, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) continues to support energy diversification efforts, particularly in Eastern Europe.
At the national level, governments often provide direct subsidies or act through state-owned transmission system operators (TSOs) to drive projects forward. Private sector involvement is also significant, with TSOs, energy companies, and infrastructure investors forming consortiums, issuing debt, or creating public-private partnerships to finance construction.
For hydrogen in particular, transnational collaborations between TSOs are emerging as a dominant model, reflecting both the scale of investment needed and the cross-border nature of the infrastructure.
In sum, the transformation of Europe’s pipeline network is shaped by immediate strategic imperatives and long-term structural changes. The continent’s energy landscape is being redesigned not only to insulate it from geopolitical shocks but also to lay the groundwork for a low-carbon future.
These twin objectives, security and sustainability, are driving both the technical evolution of pipeline infrastructure and the complex web of financial support underpinning it.