Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune hosted energy ministers from Austria, Germany, Italy, and Tunisia in Algiers to discuss the South H2 Corridor project. The meeting was attended by Algerian Minister of State for the General Inspectorate of State Services and Local Authorities, Ibrahim Mourad, and Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ahmed Attaf. The project aims to transport green hydrogen from Algeria to Europe through Tunisia and the Mediterranean Sea.
The South H2 Corridor project involves the transportation of four million tons of green hydrogen annually from Algeria to Italy, Austria, and Germany through a 3,000-kilometer pipeline. This pipeline will utilize existing natural gas infrastructure, reducing costs and accelerating implementation. The project is expected to meet 10% of Europe's anticipated demand for clean fuel by 2040.
The ministers signed the Algiers Declaration, which highlights the project's strategic importance for regional and Euro-Mediterranean integration in the field of green energy. The declaration also establishes a dedicated technical support secretariat, accompanied by the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO). This project is a significant step towards achieving a green energy transition in the region.
Austrian Federal Minister for Economics, Energy, and Tourism, Wolfgang Hatzmannsdorfer, emphasized the project's strategic and economic importance, stating that it must become a symbol of strong partnerships. He added that the project offers significant investment opportunities in Algeria, particularly in renewable energy, which will create jobs and enhance welfare in the five participating countries.
German State Secretary for Economic Affairs and Energy, Frank Witzel, highlighted the project's importance for Europe, as it aims to provide competitive and sustainable hydrogen supplies. He expressed Germany's readiness to implement the project, which will bring about mutual economic growth. Italian Minister of Environment and Energy Security, Gilberto Pichetto Fratin, praised President Tebboune's support for the project, stating that it will provide better conditions for a sustainable future.
Tunisian Minister of Industry, Mines, and Energy, Salah Zouaoui, stressed the importance of enhancing energy integration between North Africa and Europe, as well as developing shared infrastructure. The project has been in development since October 2024, when Sonatrach and Sonelgaz signed a memorandum of understanding with major European companies to conduct feasibility studies.
Algeria's competitiveness in the project is attributed to its vast solar resources, extensive areas, and existing infrastructure. A recent international study found that Algeria can technically produce and export around 10 million tons of green hydrogen annually at a lower cost compared to Europe. The country's national strategy aims to export one million tons of green hydrogen annually by 2040, with investments estimated at $25 billion.
Key points
- The South H2 Corridor project aims to transport four million tons of green hydrogen annually from Algeria to Europe through a 3,000-kilometer pipeline.
- The project is expected to meet 10% of Europe's anticipated demand for clean fuel by 2040.
- Algeria's national strategy aims to export one million tons of green hydrogen annually by 2040, with investments estimated at $25 billion.
