OGE and Nowega have started the conversion of a 46km natural gas pipeline to hydrogen in Lower Saxony, Germany.

Starting at OGE’s Emsbüren compressor station, the conversion saw the 46km stretch of pipeline disconnected from the natural gas network from where hydrogen upgrades will take place to see hydrogen injection in 2025.

The first section of pipeline between Bad Benthiem and Legden – equally owned by OGE and Nowega – will be converted to hydrogen from November 2023, with Nowega set to start building the new pipeline in Lingen to Bad Bentheim.

Hoped to enable the conversion of industry to hydrogen, the conversion comes are part of the IPCEI (Important Project of Common European Interest) funded GET H2 Nucleus project which aims to establish a core network of hydrogen infrastructure in Germany.