(Commonwealth_Europe) GASCADE and National Gas have formalized their intent to collaborate on a strategic offshore hydrogen pipeline interconnection by signing a memorandum of understanding (MoU). This partnership represents a pivotal advancement in the broader efforts to strengthen European energy security, increase system resilience, and accelerate decarbonization across the continent. The agreement is informed by recent research conducted by Arup, Adelphi, and Dena under the framework of the German-British hydrogen partnership. Their study pointed out the urgent demand for cross-border hydrogen infrastructure and provided a strong foundation for the cooperative efforts between the UK and Germany.
At the core of this initiative is the UK-Germany Hydrogen Corridor, a proposed infrastructure project that will feature two offshore pipeline segments. The first section will originate from the UK mainland, facilitating the transmission of hydrogen across the North Sea. This line will connect with the second segment, which is part of GASCADE’s AquaDuctus project — a key pipeline development designed to transport hydrogen from offshore production facilities in the German North Sea to the German mainland. Together, these two pipeline systems will form an integrated corridor capable of bidirectional hydrogen transport, ensuring continuous and flexible flow between the two countries.
The bidirectional capability of the corridor is an essential feature of the design, as it introduces the flexibility needed to accommodate dynamic supply and demand conditions in both nations. This is particularly crucial in the context of a modern energy system that is increasingly reliant on renewable and low-carbon sources, which are subject to variable generation patterns. By allowing for energy balancing and backup supply options, the corridor enhances the resilience and operational stability of both the UK and German energy markets.
In addition to improving the robustness of energy supply chains, the proposed infrastructure will serve as a critical enabler of industrial decarbonization in Europe. The pipeline will provide reliable access to green and low-carbon hydrogen — essential fuels for the transition away from conventional fossil energy sources in energy-intensive sectors. By facilitating this transition, the project supports the climate and energy targets of the UK, Germany, and the broader European Union, including the EU’s overarching ambition to achieve climate neutrality by 2050.
The project also aims to bridge the UK’s considerable renewable energy generation capacity, particularly its offshore wind resources, with hydrogen demand in Germany and the wider European mainland. The AquaDuctus pipeline, which will serve as the main conduit for hydrogen in the German North Sea, is expected to play a central role in this cross-border supply chain. The linkage between UK production capabilities and continental demand supports emissions reductions and strengthens Europe’s energy independence by diversifying energy sources and reducing reliance on imports from outside the region.
Recognizing the strategic importance of the corridor, GASCADE and National Gas intend to pursue Project of Common Interest (PCI) or Project of Mutual Interest (PMI) status. These designations are reserved for infrastructure initiatives that are vital to achieving integrated and resilient energy markets in Europe and advancing EU climate objectives. The partners also plan to include the project in the forthcoming 2026 edition of the European Ten-Year Network Development Plan (TYNDP), which guides the long-term development of cross-border energy infrastructure in the EU.
Ulrich Benterbusch, Managing Director of GASCADE, pointed out the wider relevance of the collaboration, stating that it exemplifies the value of transnational infrastructure partnerships in unlocking the full potential of regional renewable energy assets. By aligning the UK’s production capabilities with Germany’s advanced hydrogen storage and consumption systems, the project supports the diversification of energy imports and contributes to long-term European energy security.
Jon Butterworth, Chief Executive Officer of National Gas, emphasized the strategic and unifying nature of the initiative. He noted that the partnership reflects a shared commitment to building a more resilient and sustainable energy system and demonstrates the UK and Germany’s capacity to lead in the transition to a low-carbon economy.
This hydrogen corridor, while grounded in technical infrastructure development, represents far more than a pipeline project. It is a symbol of growing European collaboration on clean energy, a pathway to industrial transformation, and a foundational step toward a truly integrated hydrogen economy in Europe. Through this partnership, the UK and Germany are addressing current energy challenges and shaping the future architecture of a climate-resilient, secure, and sustainable energy landscape.
