21 January 2025 | Rome
Italy, Austria, Germany, Algeria and Tunisia signed a Joint Declaration of Political Intent in Rome on the Southern Hydrogen Corridor, a major infrastructure project that will establish a renewable hydrogen pipeline from North Africa to central Europe.
The five countries declared their intention to continue work on the development of the initiative during the Penta Ministerial Meeting organised at ‘Villa Madama’ by the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation and the Italian Ministry of the Environment and Energy Security. The Ministerial Meeting was also attended by representatives of the European Commission and the Swiss Government.
This Joint Declaration of Political Intent formalised the commitment – previously made by Austria, Italy and Germany – of Tunisia and Algeria to support the development of the project, strengthening the strategic energy partnership between Europe and North Africa. The SoutH2 Corridor is a 3,300 km dedicated hydrogen pipeline corridor connecting North Africa, Italy, Austria, and Germany led by TSOs Snam, TAG, GCA and bayernets.
The Business Forum
Following the Ministerial Conference, a Business Forum brought together companies from the participating countries prospectively interested in the hydrogen supply chain, also in light of the strategic partnership between Europe and Africa. The four individual projects of the SoutH2 Corridor, recognised by the European Union as Projects of Common Interest (PCI), were presented to the audience to highlight the opportunities created by this new infrastructure for companies along the supply chain.
The signing of the Joint Declaration of Political Intent has great political and institutional value, because it reaffirms the commitment to cooperation, aimed at carrying out a decisive project for the energy future of Europe and North Africa.
