Dutch gas grid operator Gasunie plans to build a hydrogen network crossing the German part of the North Sea that would play an important role in transporting green H2 from future offshore wind farms and also enable large-scale hydrogen imports from Norway to Europe’s largest economy.

Gasunie has applied to the European Commission to grant its plan Important Project of Common European Interest (IPCEI) status in the EU, which would exempt it from usual restrictions on state aid, opening the door for billions of euros of investment.

The application is part of the international Clean Hydrogen for Europe partnership that aims to create an entire H2 chain from production, transport, and storage to connecting end-users in north-western Europe.