With H₂Coastlink 1, construction of GTG Nord’s first hydrogen pipeline is getting under way. At a symbolic ground-breaking ceremony, representatives of GTG Nord, EWE and regional political stakeholders marked the start of construction for H₂Coastlink 1. The hydrogen pipeline, which is around 24 kilometres long and runs between Emden and Leer, is an important building block in the development of Germany’s hydrogen core network. Construction work will begin in July 2026, with commissioning scheduled for autumn 2027.
H₂Coastlink 1 gives tangible shape to the build-out of hydrogen infrastructure in north-west Germany. The pipeline forms part of the nationwide hydrogen core network. In Emden, EWE’s electrolyser, which is currently under construction, will be connected to the pipeline. This creates the conditions for hydrogen produced in the region to be transported to other regions in future. H₂Coastlink 1 will also provide a connection to further elements of the hydrogen infrastructure, including HyperLink by Gasunie Deutschland and Nordsee-Ruhr-Link IV, planned by OGE. This makes H₂Coastlink 1 a key infrastructure project for scaling up the hydrogen economy in the north-west.
The start of construction was preceded by an exceptionally swift planning approval procedure. Only five months elapsed between the submission of the planning approval documents and the planning approval decision. This was made possible by thorough preparation and the close cooperation of authorities, local authorities, landowners, as well as the project teams and planning partners.
Acting on behalf of GTG Nord, EWE NETZ is responsible for planning and constructing the pipeline. Together, they will make it possible in future to transport hydrogen from production sites to industrial customers.
“Today’s ground-breaking marks the phase in which the project becomes visible on the ground. Over the coming months, we will lay the 24-kilometre pipeline section by section, thereby creating an essential foundation for future hydrogen transport in the north-west,” says Marco van der Spek, H₂Coastlink Programme Manager at EWE NETZ.
H₂Coastlink 1 at a glance
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Around 24 kilometres of hydrogen pipeline between Emden and Leer
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First hydrogen pipeline in north-west Germany
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The pipeline forms part of the hydrogen core network
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Connection to HyperLink (Gasunie Deutschland) and Nordsee-Ruhr-Link IV (OGE)
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Start of construction: July 2026
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Planned commissioning: autumn 2027
