Press releases
26.01.2026
NBHC Initiates Call for Interest to help shape a cross-border hydrogen corridor
The Nordic-Baltic Hydrogen Corridor (NBHC), a major European infrastructure project developed jointly by six transmission system operators: Gasgrid (Finland), Elering (Estonia), Conexus Baltic Grid (Latvia), Amber Grid (Lithuania), GAZ-SYSTEM (Poland), and ONTRAS (Germany), has launched a Call for Interest survey. The initiative seeks early, non‑binding market input to support ongoing feasibility work and help shape the project’s next development phase.
This phase invites market participants to help shape the development of a cross-border hydrogen network. Input from the market will serve as a vital step in building a corridor that will strengthen Europe’s energy security and accelerate the transition to a climate-neutral economy.
Recognized by the European Commission as a Project of Common Interest and supported with €6.8 million from the Connecting Europe Facility for the feasibility phase, NBHC is designed to become a strategic enabler of the EU’s most critical energy and climate objectives.
According to Ralph Bahke, ONTRAS Managing Director Development and Controlling, by creating a dedicated hydrogen backbone across Finland, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, and Germany, the corridor will reduce Europe’s dependence on imported fossil fuels, enable large-scale decarbonization of industry, and stimulate investment in renewable energy and hydrogen technologies. It will also serve as a powerful symbol of European integration, reinforcing regional cooperation and competitiveness.
“NBHC is more than a pipeline – it is Europe’s energy security artery. This project will deliver a resilient, renewable energy system that underpins the Green Deal and REPowerEU strategy, while creating a new economic ecosystem for hydrogen. By connecting six member states, NBHC demonstrates how collaboration can turn climate ambition into industrial reality,” said Bahke.
Following the successful completion of its pre-feasibility study in June 2024, NBHC entered the feasibility phase in 2025. National and cross-border studies are expected to conclude in early 2027. The results will support decisions on the project’s potential progression to it’s next phase.
The Call for Interest invites hydrogen producers, consumers, distribution system operators, hydrogen storage operators, as well as hydrogen shippers to provide indicative, non‑binding input on hydrogen production and consumption, infrastructure plans, and cross‑border transportation needs along the corridor. This market intelligence will guide the development of technical and commercial solutions and may lead to further discussions with respondents to explore needs in more detail, with the aim of signing non‑binding Letters of Intent. These letters will aggregate market signals to help strengthen the business case. The survey is open from January 14 to March 31, 2026. Participants can access the survey here. After the survey closes, NBHC will invite respondents to further discussions to align market needs with project development.
NBHC is designed to deliver approximately 2.7 million tons of hydrogen annually by 2040, supported by a main pipeline network of around 2,500 km spanning six European countries: Finland, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, and Germany. Recognized as a Project of Common Interest (PCI) and included in the Ten-Year Network Development Plan (TYNDP), NBHC aims for a Commercial Operation Date (COD) from 2033 onward.