Enagás Launches Calls for Interest in Hydrogen Infrastructure and CO2 Logistics

Big splash: Spanish technical manager of the national gas grid, Enagás, has rolled out an ambitious double call that sets the stage for scaling up hydrogen infrastructure and carbon capture networks. The first call invites hydrogen producers, consumers and marketers to signal their needs for a planned backbone spanning roughly 2,750 km of repurposed pipelines. The second targets CO₂ emitters and users keen to leverage CO₂ logistics built around Enagás’s regasification terminals. This move is more than a formal exercise—it’s a strategic play to kick off Spain’s transformation into a green hydrogen powerhouse.

Context and Vision

Established in the early 1970s and now certified as an independent transmission system operator by the EU, Enagás has long operated Spain’s natural gas grid and four LNG regasification terminals. In recent years it has shifted gears toward renewable hydrogen and CO₂ infrastructure, quietly laying out plans for underground hydrogen storage and two major hydrogen backbones stretching across industrial hubs and renewable centers. With its deep network know-how, the company is building for the future—serving both traditional gas users and emerging green molecule markets.

Spain’s Renewable Edge

With about 47 million people and a GDP per capita above $29,000, Spain enjoys abundant solar and wind resources. That renewable surge is the secret sauce behind green hydrogen ambitions—electrolyzers paired with sun and wind farms can churn out H₂ with near-zero emissions. By unlocking these clean power sources through a nationwide backbone, Enagás is tapping into Spain’s natural advantage to drive down green hydrogen production costs and strengthen energy security for households and industries alike.

Mapping Hydrogen Demand

This month, the first non-binding call opened a digital platform where hydrogen stakeholders can register projected volumes, locations and timelines. Producers, industrial consumers and off-takers are encouraged to provide input by mid-June, shaping a backbone that threads through corridors like the Ebro Valley and Cantabrian Coast. The real kicker is that by collecting and updating market data now, Enagás aims to de-risk billions of euros in pipeline investment. It’s a real-world solution that promises to fuel Spain’s push for 11 GW of green hydrogen electrolysis capacity by 2030.

Powering Carbon Capture

At the same time, an equally strategic call for CO₂ logistics chain participants sprang to life, calling on emitters from heavy industry and power generation to share their capture plans. Users of CO₂—whether for underground storage or enhanced oil recovery—can also flag demand. With existing LNG terminals in Huelva, Barcelona, Cartagena and Gijón ready for liquefaction and dispatch, Enagás is leveraging proven assets to get CCS projects off the ground. This dual approach to hydrogen and carbon capture creates a synergy that supports EU net-zero targets and Spanish competitiveness under the EU ETS regime.

Pioneering CO₂ Projects

Enagás is no newcomer to carbon capture pilots. Its CO₂necta project aims to capture over half a million tonnes of CO₂ annually, while a partnership with Calcinor targets nearly a million tonnes per year. By integrating these capture volumes into its logistics chain, the company gains concrete figures to feed into its Call for Interest. These projects also align with the EU’s need for hundreds of millions of tonnes of CO₂ storage capacity by mid-century.

The Secret Sauce of Infrastructure

So what’s the secret sauce here? It’s the smart repurposing of existing gas pipelines and storage caverns. By adapting up to 2,600 km of piping for pure hydrogen or H₂ blends, and by planning underground salt-cavern storage, Enagás can deliver cost savings compared to greenfield builds. Compressed hydrogen from renewable electrolysis plants can flow through these networks to factories and power stations, while CO₂ captured from smokestacks rides the same corridors back to storage sites. In effect, these pipes become multi-purpose arteries for clean molecules.

Real-World Impact

Beyond technical elegance, these calls stand to turbocharge Spain’s green economy. Analysts estimate that a fully rolled-out hydrogen backbone could draw in billions of euros of investment, kick-starting local jobs in construction, operations and maintenance. Industrial clusters, from steel to cement, will finally see a reliable off-take path for decarbonized processes. Meanwhile, carbon capture logistics pave the way for hard-to-abate sectors to comply with tightening emissions regulations. In short, this is serious about leading the energy transition.

Financial Momentum

Q1 recurring net profit figures released by Enagás show €56.9 million, which it says is on track to meet its €235 million annual target. With traditional gas demand tapering off, these new hydrogen and CO₂ initiatives could stabilize revenues through regulated asset returns. It’s a savvy pivot that kicks the challenge to the curb—while positioning the company as a resilient player in a decarbonized future.

Challenges and Next Steps

Of course, the path ahead isn’t without hurdles. Regulatory frameworks for pure hydrogen transport and cross-border offtake agreements still need clarity under the pending Hydrogen Law. Financing large-scale electrolyzer deployment hinges on securing public subsidies and stable long-term contracts. On the CO₂ side, ensuring permanent geological storage and preventing leaks will require rigorous monitoring protocols. But by front-loading industry feedback through these calls, Enagás is tackling key uncertainties head-on.

Engaging the Market

Interested parties can join upcoming webinars hosted by Enagás and submit their information via online forms this month. Hydrogen stakeholders have until mid-June to formalize their interest, while CO₂ emitters and users have an extra two weeks. These sessions offer detailed guidelines on technical requirements, interconnection points and potential tariff models. It’s a direct line into the planning process—so don’t miss your chance to shape Spain’s clean energy highways.

Built for the future, these two Calls for Interest follow earlier pilot projects like the Green Hysland initiative in Mallorca and feed into the broader EU Hydrogen Backbone plan. They dovetail with Spain’s 2020 Hydrogen Roadmap—upgraded last year to target 11 GW of electrolysis—and with REPowerEU’s push for resilient energy supply chains. For a company whose core business has long been natural gas, this pivot safeguards future revenue streams and cements its role as a green infrastructure champion.

Bottom line: by mobilizing market data, de-risking infrastructure, and linking hydrogen and CO₂ networks, Enagás is delivering a secret sauce for decarbonization. It’s a pragmatic, scalable strategy that kicks traditional energy challenges to the curb—paving the way for clean hydrogen, climate-smart industry, and a more secure Europe. Stay tuned: the pipelines of tomorrow are being sketched out today, and Spain is right in the driver’s seat.