Germany's 68-km hydrogen pipeline to power green steel by 2029

Ontras Gastransport GmbH is moving forward with plans for a new hydrogen pipeline. The 68-kilometre route will stretch from Wefensleben to Salzgitter, passing through Helmstedt and Wolfenbüttel. Construction is set to begin in 2027, with operations expected to start by late 2029. The project forms part of a 600-kilometre hydrogen network across eastern and central Germany. It will also support the SALCOS programme, which aims to produce 'green steel' at Salzgitter’s steelworks. The pipeline itself will measure 80 centimetres in diameter.

Before construction starts, Ontras must complete environmental checks. From late June to early August, surveys will look for the protected European hamster along the proposed route. The animal’s presence could require adjustments to the pipeline’s path. The formal approval process has already begun. Ontras has ordered the necessary pipes, ensuring preparations stay on track. Once finished, the pipeline will enable commercial hydrogen supply to customers by December 2029.

The new pipeline will connect key industrial sites and support cleaner steel production. Its completion in 2029 marks a step toward expanding hydrogen infrastructure in the region. Environmental assessments and regulatory approvals will shape the final route before work starts.