On Thursday, in Algiers, Algeria, ministers of energy from Algeria, Tunisia, Italy, Austria, and Germany signed the Algiers Ministerial Declaration. The declaration concerns the South Hydrogen Corridor project, which primarily involves establishing a dedicated technical support secretariat for the project. The United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) will accompany the project. The declaration highlights the project's strategic importance as a catalyst for regional and Euro-Mediterranean integration in the field of green energies.
The signatories included Algerian Minister of Energy and Renewable Energies, Mourad Adjali; Austrian Federal Minister for Economics, Energy, and Tourism, Wolfgang Hatzmansdorfer; Italian Minister of Environment and Energy Security, Gilberto Pichetto Fratin; German Federal Ministry of Economic Affairs and Energy State Secretary, Frank Wetzels; and Tunisian Minister of Equipment and Housing, Salah Zouaoui. The declaration emphasizes the strategic importance of the South Hydrogen Corridor initiative as a driver of regional integration and cooperation in the energy sector.
The South Hydrogen Corridor project aims to transport 4 million tons of green hydrogen annually from Algeria to three European countries. This quantity is equivalent to 10% of the expected European demand for this clean fuel by 2040. The project involves a 3,000-kilometer-long corridor. The declaration also stresses the importance of political support for the project's success through regular and organized dialogue among partner countries.
The ministers expressed their commitment to working together to develop a fruitful partnership between the two sides of the Mediterranean in the energy field. They also aim to contribute to the development and prosperity of economic relations. The second ministerial meeting was opened on Thursday morning in the presence of Algerian Minister of State and Minister of Hydrocarbons, Mohamed Arkab, and other officials.
Work on the project began in October 2024, when Algeria's Sonatrach and Sonelgaz signed a memorandum of understanding with German, Italian, and Austrian companies. The agreement was to conduct necessary studies to assess the feasibility and profitability of an integrated project to produce green hydrogen in Algeria and export it to Europe.
The project's development was further enhanced during the visit of Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune to Germany in July. Sonatrach signed two protocol agreements with Robert Bosch and Siemens Energy to enhance cooperation in the energy transition field. This includes the manufacture of electrolyzers, hydrogen production, and maintenance.
The first ministerial meeting of energy ministers concerned with the project was held in Rome in January 2025. The meeting resulted in the signing of a joint declaration of political intentions regarding the strategic facility. The parties confirmed their intention to enhance cooperation to develop the project within a joint working group.
Key points
- The South Hydrogen Corridor project aims to transport 4 million tons of green hydrogen annually from Algeria to three European countries.
- The project is expected to meet 10% of the European demand for green hydrogen by 2040.
- The Algiers Ministerial Declaration emphasizes the strategic importance of the project for regional and Euro-Mediterranean integration in green energies.
