The European Union is developing a new energy artery on its southern flank, with Tunisia at its center. The SoutH2 Corridor, a 3,300km pipeline, aims to transport renewable hydrogen from North Africa to major European consumption hubs. The project, backed by the European Commission, will connect Algeria, Tunisia, Italy, Austria, and Germany. This infrastructure could give Tunisia a strategic position in the future Mediterranean hydrogen economy.
The SoutH2 Corridor is expected to be operational by the early 2030s, with a potential import capacity of over 4 million tonnes of renewable hydrogen per year from North Africa. The pipeline will utilize existing gas pipelines, with over 65% of the infrastructure coming from converted gas ducts. The project is being developed by four network operators: TAG and Gas Connect Austria in Austria, bayernets in Germany, and an Italian operator.
Tunisia's connection to the pipeline is significant, with a proposed underwater link between Cap Bon and Mazara del Vallo in Sicily. This infrastructure, developed by SeaCorridor, was integrated into the European list of Projects of Mutual Interest (PMI) in 2025. The connection will serve as a junction between future North African production hubs and the SoutH2 network in Europe.
The project's political dimension gained momentum with a joint declaration of intent signed on January 21, 2025, in Rome. Algeria, Tunisia, Italy, Austria, and Germany pledged to support the development of the Southern Hydrogen Corridor. The European Commission associates the corridor with the development of renewable energies and hydrogen in Tunisia and Algeria, as well as local economic investments and opportunities.
The economic stakes for Tunisia are significant, with the country potentially becoming more than just a transit territory for the energy infrastructure. The Commission aims to create local economic opportunities and jobs through the project. Several production projects are emerging along this future route, including the H2 Notos project in southern Tunisia, which plans to produce 200,000 tonnes of green hydrogen per year, with a potential capacity of up to 1 million tonnes per year.
The H2 Notos project, developed by TE H2 and Verbund, plans to connect to the SoutH2 Corridor to access the European market. For Tunisia, the economic question goes beyond the pipeline, focusing on what share of the value chain – renewable production, electrolysis, infrastructure, industrial services, and jobs – can be established in the country. The challenge is to transform Tunisia's strategic position into local economic value.
The SoutH2 Corridor offers Tunisia a strategic geographical position, but the country's economic benefits depend on its ability to capitalize on this opportunity. With a planned length of 3,300km and an expected import capacity of over 4 million tonnes of renewable hydrogen per year, the project has significant potential for growth and development. As the project progresses, Tunisia's role in the future Mediterranean hydrogen economy will become increasingly important.
Key points
- The SoutH2 Corridor will be 3,300km long and have a potential import capacity of over 4 million tonnes of renewable hydrogen per year.
- Tunisia is set to play a key role in the SoutH2 Corridor, with a proposed underwater link between Cap Bon and Mazara del Vallo in Sicily.
- The project aims to be operational by the early 2030s, with the potential to create local economic opportunities and jobs in Tunisia and Algeria.
