In the face of rising energy demand, geopolitical uncertainty, and the need to drastically reduce greenhouse gas emissions, Europe has identified hydrogen as a key enabler for the energy transition. However, the infrastructure necessary to transport hydrogen at scale remains limited. The Baltic Sea region offers strong potential for offshore wind energy and hydrogen production, but the lack of interconnection between production sites and demand centres has so far hindered development. Strengthening Europe’s energy autonomy and integrating hydrogen into the energy mix requires cross-border infrastructure capable of delivering renewable hydrogen where and when it is needed.

To address this gap, the Baltic Sea Hydrogen Collector (BHC) project has been launched by Gasgrid Finland, Nordion Energi (Sweden), and Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners (Denmark). The BHC is a proposed 1,250-kilometre offshore hydrogen pipeline system that will connect hydrogen production hubs in Finland, Sweden, Germany, and potentially Denmark, with collection points on the islands of Åland, Gotland, and Bornholm.

The BHC aims to transport green hydrogen produced from the region’s abundant offshore wind resources to key industrial markets in Northern and Central Europe. It is designed to integrate with other planned hydrogen corridors, including the Nordic Hydrogen Route, the Nordic-Baltic Hydrogen Corridor, and Germany’s national hydrogen infrastructure plans.

Hydrogen transported through the BHC will support decarbonisation of hard-to-abate sectors such as steel manufacturing and heavy transport. It will also function as an energy balancing mechanism, storing hydrogen during periods of low electricity prices and feeding it back into the system during high-demand periods. This flexibility helps stabilise the grid and contributes to more competitive energy pricing.

Once operational, the BHC is expected to enable large-scale transport of green hydrogen, helping to meet the EU’s targets under the RePowerEU plan. The pipeline will contribute to the integration of up to 100+ GW of potential offshore wind capacity identified in the Baltic Sea by 2040, offering a cost-effective alternative to expanding electricity grids.

By connecting hydrogen supply and demand across multiple countries, the BHC enhances energy security, supports EU climate goals, and enables new economic opportunities in hydrogen-related industries. The project reflects the ambitions outlined in the Marienborg Declaration to harness the full potential of the Baltic Sea’s renewable energy, laying the foundation for a more integrated, secure, and sustainable European energy system.