French, German and Luxembourg industrialists have decided to form a European Economic Interest Grouping (EEIG) to create the “Greater Hydrogen Region”.

The signatories are Creos Deutschland, Encevo, GazelEnergie, GRTgaz, H2V, Hydrogène de France, SHS – Stahl Holding-Saar GmbH and Steag GmbH. Their objective is to set up an integrated and cross-border hydrogen ecosystem. It will connect projects from the entire value chain: production, transport and consumption.

The current scope is the Federal State of Saarland (Germany), the Lorraine region (Grand-East – France) and the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg.

By targeting the steel production and mobility sectors, the ecosystem is expected to reduce CO2 emissions by more than 980,000 tonnes/year by 2030. In addition, the “Greater Hydrogen Region ” will enable the transformation of the Carling – Saint-Avold and Völklingen platforms towards the massive production of hydrogen by electrolyser thus bringing a new dynamic to the heart of Europe. More than 140 direct new jobs and 230 indirect jobs are expected, which will lead to the development of research and professionalization programmes within universities.

The EEIG is also announcing major investments (more than €600 million  -about $693 million- for production facilities and transport infrastructure) to produce up to 61,000 tonnes of hydrogen a year.

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Article written by Laurent Meillaud and translated by Logan King.