The European Commission has granted Spanish grid operator Enágas €32.5m ($37.6m) to carry out studies and engineering projects for the nation’s hydrogen gas network. CEO Arturo Gonzalo confirmed that the company has signed a grant agreement with the European Climate, Infrastructure and Environment Executive Agency (CINEA) for the funds from the Connect Europe Facility.

It comes after Enágas began its consultation on the 2,700km Spanish Hydrogen Bankbone, connecting potential production and demand centres, as well as linking the country to industrial nations in northern Europe.The 18-month consultation will hear input from local communities, over 50 public administrations, and 380 organisations across Spain.

Gonzalo told the company’s internal hydrogen event, “We are making progress in the Spanish Hydrogen Backbone, as planned… We are giving impetus to a new technological cycle where we will continue to take important steps as we build the hydrogen infrastructure of tomorrow.”