BarMar JV formed for Barcelona–Marseille H2Med hydrogen link

The BarMar Joint Venture has been formally established to connect the Barcelona-Marseille H2Med hydrogen pipeline, which aims to connect France and Spain to provide cheap, reliable, and efficient hydrogen for Europe. The relevant stakeholders held a formal shareholders meeting to finalize the details of the project that aims to connect two of Europe’s largest hydrogen producers. The joint venture comes one year after the signing of a Joint Development Agreement in June 2024 and is evidence of the upward trajectory of the hydrogen sector in Europe overall.

The venture is a key component in creating Europe’s first-ever clean hydrogen pipeline that connects two countries

The BarMar joint venture is a partnership between Enagás (Spain), NaTran, and Teréga (France), which will share the associated costs and profit in a deal that could be seen as the future of the hydrogen sector. The venture aims to cover 10% of Europe’s hydrogen consumption by around 2030. And projections are that the reliance on hydrogen as an alternative to the non-renewable energy sector is only going to grow as time passes and the world requires more energy to supplement the insatiable hunger for electricity.

The project is a revolutionary approach to shared responsibility as well as pioneering cooperation between nations in Europe. Which could only serve the citizens of Europe well. The shareholding percentage is broken down as follows:

• EIH-Enagás with 50%
• NaTran with 33.3%
• Teréga with 16.7%

The CEO’s of the companies involved in BarMar have praised the project’s potential

It is exceedingly rare for competitors to come together to deliver such a crucial project that has so much unlimited potential for the energy sector worldwide. The leaders of the joint venture came together to praise the BarMar project’s potential.

“The creation of this joint company embodies our collective commitment and determination to deliver this vital energy infrastructure for Europe. This marks the beginning of a new operational phase that will allow us to tackle the technical and regulatory challenges with an integrated team and a common goal: making H2med a reality.” – Mr. Arturo Gonzalo, CEO of Enagás

“This new joint company provides the necessary framework for the long-term development of the BarMar hydrogen pipeline, a key component of the H2med project. It also gives concrete form to cross-border cooperation in developing strategic energy infrastructure to decarbonize our industries. Based in France, the BarMar company is now a place where all partners’ expertise in hydrogen transport will converge to foster a new phase of Europe’s energy.” – Ms. Sandrine Meunier, CEO of NaTran

“The announcement of the BarMar company anchors H2med at the heart of Europe’s energy sovereignty and enables the achievement of carbon neutrality goals. The European funding testifies to the confidence placed in our joint expertise. Along its partners, Teréga is fully mobilised to make this European clean hydrogen corridor a success for the decarbonisation of our industries and regions.” – Ms. Carolle Foissaud, CEO of Teréga

The joint venture represents a shared responsibility between Spain and France

Mr. Francisco Pablo de la Flor, from Enagás, has been appointed as the new entity’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO). The venture aims to strengthen the hydrogen sector in Europe as it sees the reliance on the alternative energy sector increasing over the past few years. The deal comes just eight days after a meeting between the five companies involved in the H2med project, as well as Executive Vice-President of the European Commission, Ms. Teresa Ribera, who oversees the Green, Just and Competitive Transition.

The project received a massive boost from the recent signing of Grant Agreements with the European Climate, Infrastructure and Environment Executive Agency (CINEA) for the BarMar and CelZa (Celorico–Zamora) projects. Japan has seen a new project that could deliver a new form of hydrogen that was previously thought impossible, so the sector is continuing to grow.