In Madrid, the Spanish Ministry of Energy confirmed the agreement reached on Sunday "for Germany's membership of H2Med", which follows "discussions between the Spanish, German, French and Portuguese governments, favored by their profoundly European vision".

The agreement "strengthens the pan-European dimension of H2Med" and allows Spain to "become a green energy hub from the Iberian Peninsula to Central and Northern Europe", the ministry added in a statement.

The gas pipeline located under the Mediterranean Sea will transport green hydrogen, produced from water by electrolysis, using a process using renewable energy.

The Spanish government estimates that H2Med will be able to transport some two million tonnes of hydrogen to France each year, or 10% of the estimated hydrogen needs of the European Union.

The project is expected to cost 2.5 billion euros.

© 2023 AFP