Offshore hydrogen: EU study highlights its benefits

A European study has highlighted the benefits of offshore hydrogen infrastructure for offshore wind power.

Share:

Subscribe for unlimited access to all the latest energy sector news.

Over 150 multisector articles and analyses every week.

For less than €3/week*

*For an annual commitment

*Engagement annuel à seulement 99 € (au lieu de 149 €), offre valable jusqu'au 30/07/2025 minuit.

An EU study highlights the key role of offshore hydrogen for our future energy consumption. Indeed, offshore hydrogen production is set to become increasingly important to meet the growing demand for hydrogen in Europe, which is seen as a key low-carbon energy carrier.

The benefits of an offshore hydrogen backbone for offshore wind energy

The European study on the specification of a European hydrogen backbone hydrogen backbone commissioned by the infrastructure system operators GASCADE and Fluxys, highlighted the significant benefits of such an infrastructure. The study suggests that offshore hydrogen production is an attractive option for offshore wind power generation. The potential generation of wind energy in the North and Baltic Seas is immense and could be more than the power system alone can handle. The DNV study shows that pipeline-connected offshore hydrogen production is cheaper than onshore hydrogen production.

The EU projects that the demand for climate-neutral hydrogen will reach 2,000 terawatt-hours (TWh) by 2050. DNV estimates the potential to produce 300 TWh of hydrogen from North Sea wind farms by 2050. This makes a significant contribution to reducing dependence on energy imports and enhancing the security of energy supply in Europe. “This positive aspect of increasing security of supply can hardly be emphasized enough after recent experiences,” says Ulrich Benterbusch, Managing Director of GASCADE.

Pipelines for offshore wind hydrogen: costs and flexibility.

According to this EU study on offshore hydrogen, a mesh pipeline connection for the North Sea can sensibly connect production sites to the existing onshore pipeline network to bring hydrogen produced offshore to shore. In the Baltic Sea region, fewer areas currently meet the 100 km criterion. However, if Sweden and Finland decide to produce hydrogen on a large scale and transport it to demand centers in southern Europe, a combined pipeline is likely to make sense.

She suggests storing up to 30% of the hydrogen produced in salt caverns to effectively increase system flexibility. To support the policy discussion, the study also contains an initial cost estimate. The total cost of hydrogen produced offshore in the North Sea is estimated at 10% of the cost of the pipelines and compressors required for the offshore hydrogen infrastructure. Preliminary calculations indicate that an investment in offshore hydrogen transport infrastructure of €35-52 billion (including underground storage) can lead to a North Sea hydrogen system cost of €4.69-4.97/kg.

The AquaDuctus project

The project AquaDuctus is part of the planned offshore hydrogen infrastructure designed to efficiently transport hydrogen produced from North Sea wind farms to the German onshore hydrogen grid. It is designed as a central infrastructure that can collect hydrogen from multiple production sites. While also offering the possibility of connecting to other international hydrogen flows via the North Sea. Pascal De Buck, CEO of Fluxys, says: “The AquaDuctus offshore pipeline, designed as a regulated open access infrastructure available to all future hydrogen wind farm operators, will significantly contribute to security of supply by diversifying Europe’s hydrogen supply sources.”

In summary, offshore hydrogen production connected by pipelines must become increasingly important to meet the growing demand for hydrogen in Europe. With the potential to contribute significantly to reducing dependence on energy imports and enhancing the security of energy supply. Offshore hydrogen infrastructure in the North and Baltic Seas can efficiently collect hydrogen from multiple production sites. While also offering the possibility of connecting to other international hydrogen flows via the North Sea.

Driven by federal incentives, hydrogen hubs and industrial demand, the U.S. green hydrogen market shows a compound annual growth rate of 63.8% through 2032.
According to the Oxford Institute for Energy Studies, the adoption of low-carbon ammonia in maritime transport faces economic, regulatory, and safety barriers, despite growing international pressure to reduce emissions from the global fleet.
Despite declining revenues, Next Hydrogen maintains operational continuity in Q2 2025 through new private and institutional financing.
Transition Industries assigns Bonatti to build core infrastructure for Pacifico Mexinol, a strategic methanol complex in Mexico poised to become a major global player.
GeoPura has acquired key assets from Green Hydrogen Systems and opened a subsidiary in Denmark to support its expansion in hydrogen electrolyser production and maintenance.
BP and Fortescue withdrawals reveal gap between promises and economic reality in the sector, despite 22.7 billion Australian dollars in government incentives.
Endua, an Australian technology company, has received $4.88mn in public funding to strengthen its capacity to produce modular hydrogen electrolysers, supporting the expansion of local supply chains and industrial development within the hydrogen sector.
HydrogenXT secures a $900mn agreement with Kell Kapital Partners Limited to develop the first ten local zero-carbon blue hydrogen plants along key logistics corridors in the United States.
Elogen completes delivery of a 2.5 MW proton exchange membrane electrolyser for the Baseload Power Hub, linked to the Hollandse Kust Noord offshore wind farm and operated by CrossWind joint venture.
Fotowatio Renewable Ventures joins forces with Envision Energy for the H2 Cumbuco project, aiming for a 500MW green ammonia plant targeting Brazilian, European, and Asian markets.
Element 2 strengthens its partnership with HRS to install a mobile hydrogen station in Glasgow, as part of its expansion strategy for its refuelling network in the United Kingdom and Ireland.
Global hydrogen development, supported by more than 1,500 ongoing projects and significant investments, is driving strong demand for insurance coverage, with potential estimated at over USD3bn in annual premiums by 2030.
ArcelorMittal Brazil begins a collaboration with Utility Global to develop a clean hydrogen project using the patented H2Gen system, aimed at producing up to 3 tons per day at the Juiz de Fora plant.
ENERTRAG announces the acquisition of a plot in Prenzlau to install a 130 megawatt green hydrogen production unit, with a planned investment of €300 mn, thereby supporting the regional economy and local industrial sector.
H2APEX Group SCA has completed a EUR30mn ($32.5mn) capital increase to finance the acquisition of HH2E Werk Lubmin GmbH and support the development of its hydrogen project in Germany. —
Next Hydrogen launches the largest onsite clean hydrogen production and distribution station in Ontario, capable of supplying up to 650 kg per day for powering fuel cell forklifts.
A 5,500-horsepower harbour vessel was bunkered with green ammonia at the Dalian terminal, marking the creation of a full value chain for this fuel and a technical milestone for the maritime sector.
Air Liquide begins construction of the ELYgator electrolyser in Rotterdam, a 200 MW project, supported by the Dutch government and an investment exceeding €500 mn.
A pilot project in Germany aims to produce green hydrogen at sea directly from untreated seawater on offshore wind farms, using marine bacteria and robust materials.
BP withdraws from the Australian Renewable Energy Hub, a major renewable hydrogen and ammonia project in the Pilbara region, marking a new stage for energy investments in Australia.
Consent Preferences