Lithuania's Amber Grid developing major hydrogen corridor from Finland to Germany

Lithuania's Amber Grid is spearheading a significant international project to establish a hydrogen corridor stretching from Finland to Germany, passing through the Baltic states and Poland. The ambitious plan aims to leverage surplus electricity generated in Finland, converting it into hydrogen for transport across Europe.

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Our plans are structured so that we finish our studies next year, and the design should be completed around 2029–2030, and then we can start arranging the implementation itself – procurement and other matters. True, with such megaprojects involving many countries, there are many challenges, but with a goal in mind, adjusting the timelines, such projects can generate huge change. (...) We see huge added value from this project

N. Biknius, head of Amber Grid, explained that the project's timeline involves completing studies next year, with design work concluding around 2029-2030, paving the way for implementation and procurement. "We see huge added value from this project," Biknius stated, acknowledging the numerous challenges inherent in such large-scale, multinational endeavors. The core idea is to transform excess electricity, particularly abundant in Finland, into hydrogen, which can then be transported as an energy form.

The primary consumers of this hydrogen are expected to be synthetic fuel producers and the petrochemical and fertilizer industries, mainly in Poland and Germany, although Lithuania will also utilize some of the supply. Biknius highlighted the scale, noting that Finland's production capacity could reach approximately 97 TWh, a substantial amount compared to Lithuania's annual electricity consumption of 12-13 TWh.

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This project, in principle, is very beneficial for our state. The idea is that electricity, which is produced in excess in Finland, is converted into hydrogen, and it, as a form of energy, as molecules, is transported through the Baltic countries, Poland to Germany

Biknius emphasized the project's strategic importance for Europe's energy security, especially in light of recent global events. "This project is an opportunity for the Old Continent to further strengthen its energy independence," he said. By converting surplus electricity into hydrogen, the system can be balanced and the energy transported to meet consumer needs. The consortium, comprising six European gas transmission system operators, aims to build a pipeline approximately 2,500 km long, with about 350 km running through Lithuania.

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Europe, especially after such incidents as we see in the Strait of Hormuz, this is a new opportunity to supply itself with its own internal energy resources – from surplus electricity, which then becomes cheap, you can produce hydrogen, balance the system and transport it for consumer needs.

This international hydrogen corridor is recognized as a Project of Common European Interest, underscoring its significance for European infrastructure. The consortium has initiated a market consultation to gauge interest in using the future infrastructure, with results expected to inform technical and commercial decisions. The project is seen as a catalyst for new businesses and the development of novel energy forms.

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We see that this infrastructure would create opportunities for new businesses, new forms of energy. The market says they are interested, especially most of the existing players or those planning to work with synthetic fuel production