WHHYN

The WHHYN project is the first open-access cross-border hydrogen transport grid between France and Belgium.

This project is being carried out in partnership with the Belgian natural gas carrier Fluxys and will link the Valenciennes area, where both production and consumption projects are located, with the industrial zone of Mons.

This project received financial support from the Hauts-de-France region and Valenciennes Métropole for the feasibility study phase.

The WHHYN project is one of the first phases of a larger Franco-Belgian hydrogen transport corridor project, which has been recognized as a “Project of Common Interest” (PIC) by Europe, recognizing its role in achievement of the European Union's climate objectives.

The main use will be industrial for the replacement of fossil hydrogen and gas with renewable, low-carbon hydrogen. Heavy road and river mobility use is a complementary use envisaged.

• Q2 2022: Call for interest for the cross-border hydrogen grid project, coordinated with Fluxys.
• Q3 2022: Feasibility study initiated after the successful call for interest amongst industrial players. Study carried out with financial support from the Hauts-de-France Region.

• 2024: Basic engineering studies start.
• 2028: WHHYN Project planned go-live date.

Phase 1:

• Length: 40 km in France.
• Interconnection capacity: Approximately 24 GWh/d.
• 300 to 600 MW cumulative production by electrolysis.
• Between 1.5 and 3 TWh of H2 consumption planned.

According to an initial assessment, this project could contribute to averting 9.9 Mt CO₂eq/year in emissions.