Germany and Italy to build hydrogen pipeline connecting Africa and Europe

Germany and Italy are intensifying their collaborative efforts with the goal of diversifying their energy sources. Both nations have agreed to build an innovative hydrogen pipeline linking North Africa to Bavaria. This investment is intended to be incorporated into the European network, with its completion slated for 2030.

The Strategic Cooperation Action Plan was signed last week by the Chancellor of Germany, Olaf Scholz, and the Italian Prime Minister, Giorgia Meloni. The primary objectives of this agreement include collaboration in energy-related matters. Both countries have expressed their goal to reinforce long-term energy security and expedite the energy transformation.

"Germany and Italy aspire to reinforce cooperation within the energy sector to ensure sustainable gas and hydrogen supplies," reads a statement on tagesschau.de. Both nations have indeed affirmed their commitment to contracts concerning blue fuel.

Constructing a pipeline beneath the Alps presents a significant engineering challenge. Its final route is undecided - it may pass through Austria or Switzerland. Germany and Italy are hopeful that this investment will facilitate the establishment of a broader hydrogen network across Europe.

The signed agreement also endorses tight cooperation across five strategic sectors, namely: foreign and defense policy, economics, European Union matters, climate and environment, and culture.

Italy and Germany also plan for regular meetings between foreign and defense ministers including the sharing of information among finance ministers, as well as institutional dialogues on migration implicating the ministries of internal affairs.

According to current estimations, the execution of the planned hydrogen pipeline construction will facilitate the importation of approximately 11 million tons of hydrogen by 2030.

Expanding the hydrogen infrastructure will aid in transitioning away from traditional fuels in the automotive industry. Countries such as Germany, Italy, France, and the Netherlands have already established extensive networks enabling car owners to utilize hydrogen as a fuel today.