Algiers to Host Five-Country Talks on SoutH2 Hydrogen Corridor

The SoutH2 hydrogen corridor will be the focus of a five-country ministerial meeting in Algiers on Thursday, 1 October, as Algeria and its partners review plans to transport renewable hydrogen from North Africa to Europe.

Representatives of Algeria, Tunisia, Italy, Austria and Germany are expected to attend the initiative’s second ministerial meeting, according to reports published by Ennahar Online and Algérie Eco on Wednesday.

Algérie Eco reports that discussions will cover the project’s progress and its next technical and financial steps. Ennahar describes the meeting as an opportunity to strengthen cooperation among the participating countries and advance the proposed export corridor.

The project remains a planned infrastructure and production chain. The figures cited in the reports describe future transport ambitions, while studies, investment and the development of hydrogen production facilities remain part of the work ahead.

What the SoutH2 hydrogen corridor would connect

Algérie Eco describes a proposed route of roughly 3,300 kilometres linking North Africa to Italy, Austria and Germany. It reports that project promoters envisage capacity of up to four million tonnes of renewable hydrogen a year, with the network entering service progressively in the early 2030s.

Italy would act as the link between North African production and markets farther north. Hydrogen would cross the Mediterranean to Italy before continuing towards Austria and Germany, while some volumes could also supply Italian industry, according to the publication.

Existing gas infrastructure is expected to play a substantial role. Algérie Eco reports that more than 65% of the proposed route could consist of pipelines adapted for hydrogen transport. It notes that Algeria already has gas connections to Italy through Tunisia.

Ennahar gives a different route estimate of 3,000 kilometres and describes an ambition to move four million tonnes of green hydrogen annually from Algeria to the three European countries. It reports that this would be equivalent to 10% of expected European demand for hydrogen in 2040.

The two reports therefore differ in both route length and how they describe the production area. Their figures remain project estimates and targets rather than current transport capacity or confirmed deliveries.

Studies and partnerships behind the project

The Algiers meeting follows the first ministerial gathering in Rome in January 2025. Algérie Eco gives its date as 21 January and reports that the five countries signed a joint declaration of intent.

According to that publication, the participants recognised the renewable hydrogen potential of Algeria and Tunisia and the need to mobilise investment across the value chain. Ennahar also reports that the declaration envisaged cooperation through a joint five-country working group.

Ennahar traces earlier project work to October 2024, when Sonatrach and Sonelgaz signed a memorandum with Germany’s VNG, Italy’s Snam and SeaCorridor, and Austria’s VERBUND Green Hydrogen. The agreement concerned studies to assess the feasibility and commercial viability of producing hydrogen in Algeria and exporting it to Europe.

The publication also reports that Sonatrach signed protocols with Robert Bosch and Siemens Energy during President Abdelmadjid Tebboune’s visit to Germany in July. The reported areas of cooperation included electrolyser manufacturing, hydrogen production, equipment maintenance and repair, and training.

Algérie Eco identifies cooperation between Sonatrach and VNG at Arzew, in western Algeria, as another initiative focused on developing hydrogen-related skills and technologies. It also reports that a German commercial delegation visited Algeria and Tunisia from 21 to 25 September to explore opportunities in green hydrogen, storage and technologies that convert renewable electricity into fuels and industrial products.

Production costs and financing remain central

Building the corridor would require more than adapting pipelines. Algérie Eco reports that the production chain will also need renewable electricity installations, electrolysers, storage facilities and hydrogen transport networks.

The publication identifies renewable power costs, water availability, electrolyser prices and long-term European purchase contracts as factors affecting the viability of future projects.

European funding has supported feasibility work on some parts of the proposed network, according to Algérie Eco. It reports that Snam’s Italian hydrogen network obtained €24 million in European support in 2025 for technical studies and preparatory work. That amount concerns the Italian network’s preparation rather than the total investment required for the corridor.

Thursday’s discussions are expected to address the technical and financial steps needed to advance the project. Neither source reports outcomes from the Algiers meeting, which had yet to take place when their articles were published.