Algeria and Tunisia have joined Italy, Austria and Germany in strengthening cooperation on the SoutH2 Corridor, a 3,300-kilometre pipeline project aimed at transporting renewable hydrogen from North Africa to European markets in the early 2030s, Businessfront reported.
The five countries have signed a political declaration to support project development, financing and commercial partnerships. The corridor is designed to transport more than four million tonnes of renewable hydrogen annually, potentially meeting over 40% of the European Union’s target for hydrogen imports by 2030.
A key feature of the project is the planned reuse of existing natural gas infrastructure. More than 65% of the pipeline network is expected to be repurposed, which could reduce construction costs and support the development of cross-border hydrogen transport at scale.
The latest declaration builds on an initial agreement signed in Rome in January 2025 and aims to improve coordination among governments, pipeline operators, regulators, financial institutions, hydrogen producers and prospective buyers.
Implementation efforts are also being supported by a dedicated secretariat hosted by the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO). Launched in Rome on September 25, the secretariat is expected to facilitate cross-border coordination and strengthen cooperation between public and private sector stakeholders.
Commercial development is progressing through the Algeria to Europe Hydrogen Alliance, which includes Algerian state-owned energy companies Sonatrach and Sonelgaz, along with European energy infrastructure operators Snam, SeaCorridor, VERBUND and Germany’s VNG.
The consortium is conducting preliminary feasibility studies covering hydrogen production in Algeria, transportation infrastructure and potential European buyers.
For Algeria, the project offers an opportunity to expand its energy exports to Europe beyond natural gas and establish a role in the emerging renewable hydrogen market. Its existing gas export infrastructure and established energy trade links with Europe could provide a foundation for the transition to hydrogen supplies.
Tunisia, meanwhile, is positioned as a key transit country along the proposed route. The project could create opportunities for infrastructure investment and generate potential transit revenue, while strengthening the country’s role in regional energy transportation.
The corridor forms part of wider European efforts to diversify energy supplies and develop renewable hydrogen imports. However, its progress will depend on the outcome of feasibility studies, financing arrangements, infrastructure readiness and the establishment of long-term supply agreements with European buyers.
