European funding is expected to support the pre-project planning and studies (Pre-FEED) of the Baltic Sea Hydrogen Collector (BHC), which is being constructed by Gasgrid Finland, Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners (CIP) and Gascade Germany.

These studies will assess the potential of BHC as a hydrogen transport corridor connecting the Baltics with central Europe.

© Gascade

Set to have two sections, the project will establish a main trunkline between Finland and Germany, along with a section connecting Finland to Sweden, which includes branch lines to Åland and Gotland.

The German part of the BHC network has been included in the Wasserstoff-Kernnetz – the 9,040km hydrogen core network (HCN) being developed in Germany.

The initiative has also been recognised as an Important Project of Common European Interest (IPCEI) by the EU.

“Finland has excellent conditions for large-scale wind energy, the production of renewable hydrogen and the development of a hydrogen value chain,” explained Sara Kärki, Senior Vice-President for Hydrogen Development at Gasgird.

“The BHC concept offers the opportunity to unlock this potential and create new growth opportunities for Finnish industry – especially in the areas of hydrogen, Power-to-X and other projects for the production of high-quality hydrogen-based products.”

Earlier this month, the Finnish government confirmed its hydrogen legislative proposal will be finalised before the end of the year.

This represented a key step toward establishing a regulated hydrogen market, enabling Gasgrid to advance its network plans.

Until now, Finland has had to rely on adapting existing gas legislation. A dedicated hydrogen law will define how it’s regulated, who can own and operate pipelines, how access and pricing work, and how safety and environmental rules are applied.