On Thursday, in Algiers, ministers from Algeria, Tunisia, Italy, Austria, and Germany signed a declaration to support the South Hydrogen Corridor project. The project aims to create a technical support secretariat, with the assistance of the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO). The declaration highlights the strategic importance of the project as a catalyst for regional and Euro-Mediterranean integration in the field of green energy.
The declaration was signed by Algerian Minister of Energy and Renewable Energy, Murad Adjal, 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 Witzel, and Tunisian Minister of Equipment and Housing, Salah Zouaoui. The project aims to transport 4 million tons of green hydrogen from Algeria to three European countries annually.
The South Hydrogen Corridor project involves the transportation of green hydrogen from Algeria to European countries via a 3,000-kilometer line. This quantity is equivalent to 10% of the expected European demand for this clean fuel by 2040. The declaration emphasizes the importance of political support for the project's success and the need for regular dialogue between partner countries.
The signatories expressed their commitment to working together to develop a fruitful partnership between the Mediterranean regions in the energy sector. The second ministerial meeting was opened on Thursday, attended by Algerian Minister of State and Minister of Hydrocarbons, Mohamed Arkab, Minister of Industry, Ferid Kortel, and ambassadors of countries involved in the project.
Work on the project began in October 2024, when Algerian companies Sonatrach and Sonelgaz signed a memorandum of understanding with German company VNG, Italian companies Snam and C Corridor, and Austrian company Verbund Green Hydrogen. The agreement aimed to conduct necessary studies to evaluate 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, where Sonatrach signed two agreements with companies Robert Bosch and Siemens Energy. The agreements aimed to strengthen cooperation in the field of energy transition, including the manufacture of electrolyzers and hydrogen production.
The first ministerial meeting of energy ministers involved in the project was held in Rome in January 2025, resulting in the signing of a joint declaration of political intentions regarding the strategic infrastructure. The parties confirmed their intention to strengthen 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 from Algeria to European countries annually.
- The project is supported by the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO).
- The declaration was signed by ministers from Algeria, Tunisia, Italy, Austria, and Germany.
