State-owned transmission system operator (TSO) Gasgrid Finland is advancing plans for hydrogen transmission infrastructure in the Baltic Sea with a framework contract for owner’s engineering services awarded to Switerzland-based StreamTec Solutions.
As disclosed, the framework contract is awarded for a minimum of four years with options to be extended by an additional four years.
Specifically, the contract will focus on two main projects: the Baltic Sea Hydrogen Collector (BHC) and the Nordic-Baltic Hydrogen Corridor (NBHC).
The Baltic Sea Hydrogen Collector (BHC) project envisions building an offshore hydrogen pipeline infrastructure connecting Finland, Sweden, and Central Europe to enable the production of clean and sustainable hydrogen to meet Europe’s needs.
The project aims to unlock the significant offshore wind potential in Bothnia Bay and the Baltic Sea region, creating a booming hydrogen market and connecting both supply and demand. It obtained an approval by the European Parliament and the Council for its Projects of Common Interest (PCI) status on April 8, 2024.
The partners in the BHC project include Gasgrid Finland, Nordion Energi, and Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners.
The Nordic-Baltic Hydrogen Corridor (NBHC) project aims to develop a hydrogen infrastructure from Finland to Germany through Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, and Poland by 2030.
Besides Gasgrid, the following TSOs are involved in the project development: Elering (Estonia), Conexus Baltic Grid (Latvia), Amber Grid (Lithuania), Gaz System (Poland), and ONTRAS (Germany).
The first phase of the project ended in the autumn of this year with the conclusion of a preliminary study .
Georg Nowack , Project Manager from StreamTec Solutions, said: “We are delighted to be entrusted by Gasgrid to support the development of these prestigious and ambitious infrastructure projects. This partnership highlights our expertise in delivering innovative projects in the field of hydrogen and offshore construction.”
Esa Hallivuori , Senior Vice President of Infrastructure Projects Gasgrid, commented: “The hydrogen economy will improve security of supply and safety in the Baltic Sea region and Europe as a whole, bring much-needed flexibility to the energy system and create new investments and jobs.”