Estonia advances planning for Nordic-Baltic hydrogen corridor

Estonia has begun preparations to identify a route for hydrogen pipelines as part of a six-country Nordic-Baltic hydrogen corridor project, ERR reported. The government launched a state spatial planning process earlier this year, but a consultant must still be selected before detailed planning and site assessments can begin.

Monika Korolkov, project manager for the state spatial plan at the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Communications, said the project would require extensive studies, analysis and cooperation with various parties. The plan covers 24 municipalities and must be discussed with each of them.

If the process proceeds as planned, the ministry hopes to present preliminary routes to landowners by next year. A possible alternative is to build the pipeline on the seabed of the Baltic Sea, creating a direct connection between Finland and Germany. Korolkov said work was under way to ensure that the route also passes through Estonia.

A land-based route would allow Estonia to serve as a link between the Nordic and Central European energy networks, Korolkov said. It could also strengthen energy security, attract new investment and support the development of a hydrogen economy. If Finland decides that an undersea route would be more beneficial, Estonia could lose these opportunities, she said.

Siim Iimre, head of research and development at Elering, said planners would prefer to use existing gas and electricity infrastructure to minimise the amount of new land required. Estonia’s dispersed settlement pattern, scenic natural areas and protected areas would make it difficult to find a route with minimal environmental and social impact, he said.

Korolkov and Iimre said the hydrogen pipeline would not pose a danger to people or the environment. Iimre said the main impact of an underground pipeline would occur during construction, when machinery and excavation would be needed, similarly to the construction of a natural gas pipeline.

The project’s progress will depend on the successful completion of Estonia’s planning process and on the other countries keeping to their schedules. Iimre said an investment decision could be made at the beginning of 2030, after which it would be decided whether to build the infrastructure. It could be completed by 2035.

According to Iimre, the project is needed because 80 companies have already expressed interest in producing or consuming hydrogen. The tender for the state spatial planning work closed this week, and the ministry is reviewing the bids. A contract with the successful bidder is expected to be signed by October.