Italy, Germany and Austria have signed an agreement to cooperate on the development of a network to transport hydrogen from the southern Mediterranean to northern Europe, the energy ministries of the three countries said on Thursday.

The official announcement, which confirms what sources told Reuters on Tuesday, marks a concrete step in the European Union’s strategy to secure renewable hydrogen supplies by 2030 to help decarbonise its most polluting industries.

“The Southern Hydrogen Corridor will provide renewable hydrogen imports from North Africa via southern Italy and further connect to the major hydrogen demand hubs in Italy, Austria and Germany,” the German ministry said in a statement.