Call for expression of interest in a hydrogen link between the port of Dunkirk and Belgium
GRTgaz is launching a call for expression of interest, aimed at confirming the economic utility of a hydrogen transmission infrastructure, running through the pipelines of the port of Dunkirk (connecting to the DHUNE network project, currently undergoing basic engineering studies) and up to the Belgian border, linking with the hydrogen transmission network project in Belgium, proposed at the same time by Fluxys, and up to the hydrogen clusters based in Ghent and Antwerp, in a joint call for interest procedure.
The call for expression of interest procedure
GRTgaz and Fluxys are joining forces to propose a hydrogen transmission infrastructure which will connect these major North Sea ports.
Map of the future interconnected Franco-Belgian hydrogen transport network:
>>> Information on the call for projects carried out in parallel by Fluxys
This Call for Market Interest is a transparent and non-discriminatory call for interest, open to all players wishing to participate, whether or not they responded to the Call for Market Interest for the DHUNE project for a transport network in the Dunkirk industrial port area, organised in 2022.
This Call for Expressions of Interest is part of the first key stage of development of a hydrogen transport network project, which takes place in two main phases:
- An initial, non-binding phase, allowing needs to be qualified (GRTgaz and Fluxys) to define the appropriate infrastructure. Stakeholders are invited to express their interest based on the elements communicated below. At the end of the call for expression of interest period, GRTgaz and Fluxys will analyze the results together and consolidate the interest received. If sufficient interest is expressed, GRTgaz and Fluxys will align to propose the following commercial steps in a coordinated manner in order to carry out the first technical feasibility studies.
- At the end of this initial phase, GRTgaz and Fluxys will coordinate to define the access conditions to structures and the conditions for carrying out works, in consultation with the interested parties, in order to launch the second binding phase of implementation of the infrastructure.
The timetable for implementing the various stages will depend on how quickly the projects of the various players in the hydrogen ecosystem mature, and on the ability of project sponsors to commit to subscriptions for transport capacity.
>> Timetable for implementing the various stages of a GRTgaz hydrogen network development project
>> Information memorandum (english version)
>> Information memorandum (french version)
The proposed infrastructure
As part of this call for expression of interest, the hydrogen transmission infrastructure proposed by GRTgaz will link the port of Dunkirk to the Belgian border. The infrastructure will connect to the hydrogen transmission network developed by GRTgaz at the port of Dunkirk (DHUNE project). The network project will link up to the transport network project on the Belgian border proposed by Fluxys, ultimately enabling Dunkirk to be connected to the industrial areas of Ghent and Antwerp.
This first proposal is purely indicative: depending on the response of market players to this call for expression of interest, changes to the proposed infrastructure could be envisaged.
>> Proposed infrastructure (English version)
>> Proposed infrastructure (French version)
Technical specifications
Specifications for hydrogen in terms of hydrogen quality, and pressure and temperature conditions will be necessary to ensure the safe operation and interoperability of future hydrogen transmission networks.
GRTgaz suggests using the initial specifications summarised in the downloadable document below as a guide.
>> Proposed hydrogen specifications (English version)
>> Proposed hydrogen specifications (French version)
The expression of interest phase closed on November 29, 2024.
To find all the useful information on GRTgaz's hydrogen transport network projects.
