Gascade Converts 250 Miles of Gas Pipeline to Hydrogen in Germany’s First Core Network Launch
The “Flow – making hydrogen happen” project connects the Baltic Sea to Saxony-Anhalt and sets the foundation for cross-border hydrogen trade across Europe.
(P&GJ) — Gascade Gastransport GmbH has placed into service about 250 miles (400 km) of hydrogen-ready pipeline, completing the first phase of Germany’s national hydrogen core network.
The converted section, part of Gascade’s Flow – making hydrogen happen program, forms a north-south corridor from the Baltic Sea region to Saxony-Anhalt. It represents one of Europe’s largest transitions of existing natural gas lines to hydrogen transport and is now open to market use.
“This internationally unique project demonstrates how existing infrastructure can be quickly and cost-effectively transformed for hydrogen transport,” Gascade said in a statement. Managing Director Ulrich Benterbusch added, “With the successful conversion of 400 kilometers of pipeline, we reliably provide large-scale and central hydrogen infrastructure. Converting existing natural gas pipelines with a diameter of 1.4 meters to hydrogen is a technical pioneering achievement. This project is a strong signal for the German hydrogen economy and the industrial location of Eastern Germany.”
Managing Director Christoph von dem Bussche emphasized the regional and international outlook: “Flow – making hydrogen happen is more than a technical project. It is a promise for the future. In 2025 we are creating the conditions to receive hydrogen from the European Baltic Sea region, international hydrogen imports via the port of Rostock, as well as green hydrogen produced on the Baltic coast – especially at the Lubmin site. From the get-go, we are considering the connection to our European neighbors. Because only together can we succeed in building a strong cross-border hydrogen economy.”
The project will eventually extend south to industrial hubs in Bavaria and Austria by 2029, with additional connections planned to Poland and the Czech Republic.