AFRY, RINA study points to feasibility and attractiveness of Gulf-to-Europe hydrogen pipeline
27 June 2023
RINA, the inspection, certification and consulting engineering multinational, and AFRY, a European leader in engineering, design, and advisory services, have undertaken an initial study of how the Gulf region and Europe could be linked directly with a pipeline to transport low-carbon hydrogen. The results suggest a transformative opportunity to unlock the Gulf’s potential as a cost-effective source of low-carbon hydrogen for Europe.
With abundant renewable energy sources (RES) and natural gas reserves, the Gulf region is set to become a leading global producer of green and blue hydrogen, ammonia and other synthesis products.
The concept of a hydrogen pipeline connecting Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and traversing the Mediterranean Sea to Europe may seem ambitious, but initial assessment indicates its feasibility. The analysis shows that a suitable pipeline configuration could transport 100 TWh or approximately 2.5 million tonnes of hydrogen annually. Moreover, by constructing additional pipelines of the same nature, the transport capacity could be significantly scaled up.
Route from Gulf to EU border could run 3,400 km from Qatar to Greece via Yanbu, Neom, Gulf of Aqaba, Port Said area.
The cost of transporting hydrogen through this pipeline is initially seen at approximately €1.2/kg H2. The Gulf countries, in turn, could supply green and blue hydrogen to the economic hub of Europe at LeveliZed Costs Of Delivered Hydrogen (LCODH) of around €2.7/kg starting from the 2030s, decreasing to around €2.3/kg in the longer term.
Recent geopolitical challenges have forced Europe to explore alternative avenues for energy security, including linking the Eastern Mediterranean and Europe by pipeline, which was investigated for the EastMed Natural Gas project. At the same time, the discussion around exporting hydrogen and its synthesis products from the Gulf to Europe is currently revolving around molecule transport by ship. These options receive EU subsidies and drive activity within the gas/hydrogen industry, but they may not be most efficient for bulk transport. A competitive and actionable pipeline project from the Gulf region in the near future could provide a viable and powerful complement.
Not seeing the wisdom in aligning with one of the most unstable and militant parts of the world as an energy source. Are we sure north Africa and offshore have been sufficiently researched?
Posted by: Jer | 27 June 2023 at 04:50 AM
'The Morocco-UK Power Project is a multi-technology renewable energy project with approximately 10.5 GW of generation capacity to be constructed in Morocco that would be exclusively supplied to Great Britain’s grid via high-voltage direct current subsea cables.'
https://www.offshore-energy.biz/uks-government-puts-power-link-to-morocco-on-energy-security-radar/
Its closer so a cable can work.
And:
https://www.reuters.com/business/energy/italy-tunisia-power-line-secures-307-mln-euros-eu-financing-2022-12-08/
Posted by: Davemart | 27 June 2023 at 09:02 AM
ROFL Beyond delusional.
Posted by: dursun | 27 June 2023 at 01:06 PM
@dursun:
Perhaps you would inform the rest of us what exactly is delusional?
If you are referring to a hydrogen pipeline, there are thousands of kilometers in operation right now, and have been for decades.
If you are refering to an undersea electric cable from Morocco to the UK, it is simply standard engineering practise, with umpteen kilometers in operation.
Personally I am not keen on buying power from the fascist autocratic bunch of thugs running Saudi, and would sooner build modular 4th gen reactors in Europe to supplement electic and hydrogen output from renewables, but there is no reason at all to imagine that it is impractical engineering to get energy from Saudi and elsewhere where renewables are cheap and plentiful.
Posted by: Davemart | 28 June 2023 at 01:34 AM