Italy’s Snam Plans $232 Million Hydrogen Backbone Using Repurposed Gas Pipelines

Snam plans to develop a hydrogen backbone by repurposing about 60% of its existing gas pipeline network, investing €200 million ($232 million) to begin building a large-scale hydrogen transport system in Europe.

(P&GJ) — Italy’s gas infrastructure operator Snam plans to invest €200 million ($232 million) to begin development of a national hydrogen backbone as part of its 2026–2030 strategic plan.

The project would create an end-to-end hydrogen transport system by repurposing a large portion of the company’s existing natural gas pipeline network.

Snam said the hydrogen backbone would leverage its current infrastructure by converting about 60% of its existing gas transport pipelines to carry hydrogen, allowing large-scale transport while limiting the need for new pipeline construction.

The project is included on the European Union’s Projects of Common Interest (PCI) list and has already secured €24 million ($28 million) in support from the EU’s Connecting Europe Facility to fund part of the early engineering work.

Snam expects the hydrogen pipeline network to play a key role in transporting hydrogen between production hubs, industrial centers and storage sites as Europe moves to decarbonize heavy industry and energy-intensive sectors.

A final investment decision on the hydrogen backbone is expected by early 2030, subject to regulatory support and sufficient commercial demand, the company said.

The initiative is part of Snam’s broader €14 billion ($16.2 billion) strategic investment plan through 2030 focused on expanding gas infrastructure, developing carbon capture networks and advancing hydrogen transport systems.