Enagás launches the Public Consultation Plan for the Hydrogen Backbone in the Basque Country.

On 3 November, Enagás launched the Public Consultation Plan (PCP) for the Hydrogen Backbone Network in the Basque Country. The institutional event was attended by Imanol Pradales, First Minister of the Regional Basque Government; Joan Groizard, Secretary of State for Energy; Mikel Jauregi, Basque Government Minister for Industry, Energy Transition and Sustainability; and Arturo Gonzalo, CEO of Enagás.

During the event, held at the Port of Bilbao, details were provided on what will be a key project for the development of the hydrogen ecosystem in the Basque Country. The project provides for a network of around 163 kilometres of gas pipelines connecting the main industrial hubs of the Basque Country with hydrogen production centres. This network will run through the region in two sections: Reocín-Arrigorriaga, stretching for around 38 km in the Basque Country, and Arrigorriaga-Haro, for approximately 125 km. Furthermore, the network takes advantage of synergies with existing infrastructure and is complemented by other projects in the offing, such as the one that will connect to the Ayala Valley, or the Bergara-Irún pipeline.

The future network will turn the Basque Country into a hub for the hydrogen market, with a potential aggregation node in the vicinity of Bilbao and Vitoria-Gasteiz, where future production and consumption projects are concentrated. The results of the Call For Interest (presented in 2024) for the first axes of the Hydrogen Backbone Network, which are included in the list of European Projects of Common Interest (PCI), also identify the Basque Country as a relevant area for renewable hydrogen.

Source: Enagás