Comprehensive Call for Interest (CfI) results confirm strong market demand for the Nordic-Baltic Hydrogen Corridor (NBHC), closely matching early technical projections. With project developers and shippers signaling clear capacity needs, the results validate the infrastructure as a viable and essential European energy artery, ensuring commercial utilization from its first day of operation in the 2033+ horizon.

The market survey captured 93 responses from 81 distinct companies representing 108 projects. The results demonstrate that by 2040, projected market demand will reach 79.2 terawatt-hours (TWh) annually. This includes 64.4 TWh from dedicated industrial projects and 14.8 TWh from German distribution networks, representing approximately 87% of the corridor’s theoretical 91 TWh capacity projection established in pre-feasibility studies. 

Joonas Laitila, NBHC Project Director at Finland's Gasgrid, noted that these results offer crucial structural validation for the energy route. 

“The CFI confirms a high-volume North-South flow dynamic, proving that this corridor is structurally essential for the region. The production and demand identified here secure our baseline utilization and will act as a catalyst for broader market expansion. Our immediate focus is converting these early signals into formal Letters of Intent,” Laitila stated.  

Regional supply and demand dynamics. Regional data reveals a deeply integrated framework where Northern supply directly meets Southern demand. Finland is expected to play a key role in hydrogen production. Hydrogen output is projected to more than double from 15.4 TWh in 2033 to 38.6 TWh by 2050, while domestic consumption will remain stable at around 2.1 TWh annually. 

The Baltic States will serve as both producers and consumers in a growing local hydrogen economy. Regional production is forecast to grow from 3.4 TWh in 2033 to 11.1 TWh by 2050, alongside a steady rise in consumption from 0.2 TWh to 4.5 TWh over the same period.

Poland presents a dynamic market profile where heavy industrial consumption will consistently outpace domestic supply. Production is expected to grow from 2.8 TWh in 2033 to 13.2 TWh by 2050, while demand will surge from 11.8 TWh to 32.4 TWh over the same period.

Germany will act as the network's primary destination and largest consumer, with survey responses focused exclusively on offtake. Direct project consumption is projected to scale rapidly, almost tripling from 15.3 TWh in 2033 to 44.4 TWh by 2050.

Fueling the broader market. Beyond direct industrial connections, Germany's secondary market will see a substantial influx through distribution system operators. 

Germany's Eastern regional distribution demand, driven by medium-sized enterprises and municipal utilities, will surge from 3.0 TWh in 2033 to 24.9 TWh by 2050. 

Recent findings from German national hydrogen market survey indicate that German total long-term demand indications may exceed the CfI demand projections, reinforcing the NBHC's position as a crucial supply artery. 

Cross-border shipment data highlights a demand for a transnational hydrogen pipeline.  Shippers and traders disclosed plans to increase transportation volumes from 25.4 TWh in 2035 to 38.2 TWh by 2050. A significant portion of these volumes remains flexible in destination, signaling the early stages of a liquid European hydrogen trading market where early movers secure transport options to sell into the highest-premium markets. 

Progressing towards 2027 milestones. The NBHC project is currently in the feasibility phase. The participating transmission system operators – Finland’s Gasgrid vetyverkot Oy, Estonia’s Elering, Latvia’s Conexus Baltic Grid, Lithuania’s Amber Grid, Poland’s GAZ-SYSTEM, and Germany’s ONTRAS Gastransport – will continue engagement with market participants to further assess capacity needs and potential project development pathways. 

Technical, commercial and regulatory studies are ongoing and are expected to be completed in 2027. The project remains open to additional market input as planning progresses.