The Czech Republic has reinforced its position at the centre of Europe’s emerging hydrogen economy after two major cross-border infrastructure projects were re-confirmed as Projects of Common Interest (PCI) by the European Union.
The decision secures continued EU backing for the Czech-German Hydrogen Interconnector (CGHI) and the Central European Hydrogen Corridor (CEHC), including the Czech sections known as Czech Hydrogen Backbone WESTand Czech Hydrogen Backbone NORTH. The projects form part of Europe’s long-term strategy to develop an integrated hydrogen transmission network capable of connecting renewable hydrogen production with industrial demand across the continent.
The renewed PCI designation places the Czech projects among a select group of strategically important cross-border hydrogen corridors expected to underpin Europe’s future hydrogen economy. Alongside flagship initiatives such as the South-West Hydrogen Corridor (H2med) linking the Iberian Peninsula with France and Germany, the SoutH2 Corridor connecting North Africa with Central Europe via Italy and Austria, and the Nordic-Baltic Hydrogen Corridor, the Czech routes will help diversify hydrogen supplies while creating an interconnected European transmission network.
For Czech transmission system operator NET4GAS, the renewed PCI designation confirms the strategic importance of transforming existing gas infrastructure into a dedicated hydrogen backbone linking northern and eastern Europe with Central European industry.
“We see the inclusion of both projects on the PCI list as an important confirmation of their strategic significance. At the same time, it is a clear signal that the transformation of gas infrastructure towards low-emission gases – including hydrogen – can significantly contribute to strengthening energy security and meeting climate goals,” said Lenka Krausová, Director of the H₂ Readiness Programme at NET4GAS.
Czech Republic Positioned as a European Hydrogen Hub
Located at the crossroads of Germany, Slovakia and wider Central Europe, the Czech Republic is expected to become one of Europe’s principal hydrogen transit countries.
Rather than constructing an entirely new transmission system, much of the future network will utilise repurposed high-pressure natural gas pipelines, significantly reducing investment costs, shortening construction timelines and accelerating deployment.
The infrastructure will also provide direct access to future industrial demand centres within the Czech Republic, particularly the planned hydrogen cluster in northern Bohemia.
Together, the two corridors create complementary supply routes into Central Europe.
The Czech-German Hydrogen Interconnector (CGHI) will transport renewable hydrogen from northern Germany, Scandinavia and the North and Baltic Sea regions into the Czech Republic before continuing towards southern Germany.
The Central European Hydrogen Corridor (CEHC) complements this western route by establishing an eastern axis linking Ukraine, Slovakia, Czechia and Germany. In the longer term, the corridor could also accommodate hydrogen produced in the Balkans and North Africa as Europe’s hydrogen market develops.
Collectively, the projects position the Czech Republic as a strategic crossroads within Europe’s emerging hydrogen backbone, connecting multiple future supply sources with major industrial demand centres across Central Europe.
Mature Projects Moving Towards Delivery
The PCI confirmation comes as both corridors continue to advance beyond the planning stage.
According to the CGHI consortium, a completed pre-feasibility study concluded that the interconnector could comprise approximately 772 kilometres of hydrogen pipeline with a transmission capacity of 144 GWh per day, equivalent to around 1.5 million tonnes of hydrogen annually.
One of the project’s most significant advantages is that approximately 87% of the route is expected to utilise repurposed natural gas pipelines, substantially reducing construction costs and environmental impact compared with building an entirely new network.
The consortium estimates total investment at approximately €986 million, with commissioning targeted around 2030, subject to regulatory approvals, market demand and final investment decisions.
Meanwhile, Germany has already incorporated the German sections of the corridor into its national Hydrogen Core Network, providing an important level of regulatory certainty and demonstrating growing alignment between national hydrogen infrastructure plans and wider European objectives.
Broad European Industry Collaboration
The Czech-German Hydrogen Interconnector is being jointly developed by four transmission system operators:
- NET4GAS (Czech Republic)
- OGE (Germany)
- GASCADE Gastransport (Germany)
- NaTran Deutschland, which joined the consortium in 2025.
The Central European Hydrogen Corridor extends this cooperation eastwards and is being developed by:
- Gas Transmission System Operator of Ukraine (GTSOU)
- EUSTREAM (Slovakia)
- NET4GAS (Czech Republic)
- OGE (Germany)
Together, the projects represent one of Europe’s most significant multinational hydrogen infrastructure initiatives, connecting future renewable hydrogen production regions with industrial consumers across Central Europe.
PCI Status Unlocks Faster Delivery
Inclusion on the EU’s PCI list offers benefits extending well beyond access to potential funding.
Projects receive accelerated permitting procedures, improved cross-border regulatory coordination and eligibility to apply for grants under the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF). The designation is intended to accelerate the delivery of strategically important energy infrastructure while supporting the EU’s objectives on energy security, market integration and decarbonisation.
For the Czech hydrogen corridors, the renewed PCI status provides further confirmation that Brussels considers the routes essential components of Europe’s future hydrogen backbone.
Building Europe’s Hydrogen Superhighways
By the early 2030s, Europe’s hydrogen transmission system is expected to comprise several major supply corridors converging on Central Europe.
The H2med corridor is designed to transport renewable hydrogen from Portugal and Spain into France and Germany, while the SoutH2 Corridor aims to connect North African hydrogen production with Italy, Austria and southern Germany. Further north, the Nordic-Baltic Hydrogen Corridor will enable hydrogen produced using the region’s abundant offshore wind resources to reach Poland, Germany and wider Central Europe.
Within this emerging network, the Czech-German Hydrogen Interconnector and the Central European Hydrogen Corridor provide critical north-south and east-west links, connecting future hydrogen imports from the North Sea, Baltic region and Ukraine with industrial demand across Central Europe.
As Europe accelerates the development of its hydrogen economy, the renewed PCI status confirms that the Czech Republic is set to play a pivotal role – not only as a consumer of low-carbon hydrogen but as one of the continent’s key transit hubs, helping to create an integrated, secure and resilient European hydrogen market.
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