EP Infrastructure (EPIF), Eustream, NAFTA and RWE Supply & Trading signed an MOU to jointly explore the potential development of blue hydrogen production facilities in eastern Slovakia. The partners aim to help accelerate the ramp-up of the hydrogen economy and significantly contribute to the European decarbonization ambitions.

RWE Supply & Trading could off-take and import the produced hydrogen to Germany and other RWE core markets in Western Europe. The hydrogen could then be transmitted through a repurposed Eustream gas pipeline to Germany.

The CO₂ captured during hydrogen generation could be stored within depleted natural gas fields in Slovakia or neighboring Central Eastern European countries, including Ukraine. 

"We expect a significant need for low-carbon hydrogen imports to Germany in order to meet domestic demand already in 2030. To potentially off-take low-carbon hydrogen produced in Slovakia and import it to Germany via repurposed pipeline infrastructure would address this demand and at the same time support establishing the infrastructure required for future imports of green hydrogen from Eastern Europe, including Ukraine," said Ulf Kerstin, CCO of RWE Supply & Trading GmbH.