Representatives of the energy ministries of Germany, Algeria, Austria, Italy and Tunisia met in Algiers for the second ministerial conference on the Southern Hydrogen Corridor. At the close of the meeting, participants signed a joint political declaration of intent on the “Südlicher Wasserstoffkorridor” (SoutH2) initiative. The text aims to strengthen regional and Euro-Mediterranean cooperation on green hydrogen. Germany was represented by State Secretary Frank Wetzel, while other European countries, such as Spain with the first sections of its hydrogen backbone network worth €389 million, are also advancing their infrastructure.
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A structured dialogue between partner countries
According to the participants, the initiative is a driver of regional integration, energy policy cooperation and industrial competitiveness between North Africa and Europe. They reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening the security and diversification of energy supply in the region. In Germany, projects such as the hydrogen pipeline to connect the BMW Leipzig plant to the grid illustrate infrastructure development on the European side.
Cooperation is to be stepped up among the players involved: transmission system operators, national regulators, financial institutions, producers and buyers. A regular, structured dialogue is to be established between the partner countries. It is intended to help create the conditions for a competitive, sustainable and integrated hydrogen sector built on the corridor.
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A secretariat at UNIDO
The signatories support the creation of a dedicated secretariat at the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO). It is to serve as a central platform supporting intergovernmental cooperation and private-sector involvement. The aim is to establish favourable conditions for the development of the corridor.
The talks also brought together energy-sector representatives from the five countries. They covered cooperation opportunities and the investments Algeria offers in the energy sector, notably green hydrogen and renewables. Participants were also briefed on the activities of a newly established industry initiative supporting the corridor, which is expected to help create structured and sustainable demand for renewable hydrogen. In a separate context, Germany has launched a third international hydrogen project call worth €30 million.
The ALTEH2A project under discussion
Discussions covered the integrated multi-party project “Algeria to Europe Hydrogen Alliance” (ALTEH2A). It aims to expand green hydrogen production in Algeria and, under SoutH2, to help supply the European market.
A letter of intent was signed on 14 October 2024 for the project between SONATRACH, Sonelgaz, VNG AG, Snam S.p.A., SeaCorridor S.r.l. and VERBUND Green Hydrogen GmbH. The project is part of the cooperation between industrial and energy players on both sides of the Mediterranean. The document signed in Algiers is a declaration of intent, with no quantified financial commitment.
