Greece Emerges as Europe's Hydrogen Hub with Ambitious Pipeline Projects

Greece is set to play a key role in Europe's future hydrogen network. A series of major projects will link production sites across the country with international markets over the next two decades. Plans include new pipelines, electrolyser facilities, and expanded gas infrastructure to carry both natural gas and hydrogen.

The projects form part of a broader European push, with Greece featuring in 12 of the 243 hydrogen schemes outlined in ENTSO-G's latest development plan. One of the largest initiatives is the H2DRIA pipeline, led by Greek operator DESFA. This network will connect hydrogen production units on the Greek mainland with consumption hubs in Athens, Corinth, and Thessaloniki. It will also extend into Bulgaria, Italy, and potentially North Macedonia. The pipeline is designed to transport up to 0.9 million tons of hydrogen annually.

Work on supporting infrastructure is already underway. The duplication of the high-pressure gas branch between Karperi and Komotini in northern Greece will begin operations by 2028. Meanwhile, the H2L SE MED Reception Facility, which will link to the national system, is also due to come online the same year.

Further expansion is planned for the existing Trans Adriatic Pipeline (TAP). A new compressor station in Kipoi will boost its capacity to 14.2 billion cubic meters per year. This upgrade will help accommodate future hydrogen blends.

On the islands, the Cretan H2 Hub—a production plant paired with an export terminal—is expected to start operating by 2032. Around the same time, the hydrogen interconnection between Greece and Bulgaria will become functional. The Thalis 1 electrolyser facility, another major project, is set to launch by 2032, with its connection to H2DRIA following by 2040.

Natural gas infrastructure will also pave the way for hydrogen. The EastMed and Poseidon pipelines are scheduled to begin natural gas deliveries in 2029, with hydrogen-ready upgrades arriving by 2034. Greece's hydrogen strategy aligns with Europe's wider energy transition goals. The projects will create new export routes and strengthen regional energy security. With multiple facilities and pipelines due for completion between 2028 and 2040, the country is positioning itself as a central hub in the continent's hydrogen network.