This new visibility allows the partners to continue making progress in the project's overall schedule, fulfilling the commitments proposed in this timeline, as part of the future European hydrogen network planning. According to this schedule, the Commercial Operation Date (COD) of BarMar is now specified for 2032 as well as the COD of the CelZa project.
This refinement accounts for the technical aspects of the project and the countries involved, which are developing their own national hydrogen networks, with the need to secure permits and achieve a synchronised schedule for authorisations. As H2med is designed to be the backbone connecting them all, precise synchronisation is essential. During the joint Council of Ministers, on August 29th 2025, France and Germany reaffirmed their common approach to supporting the timely implementation of the corridor.
Furthermore, the progress made in cross border project governance and hydrogen regulatory harmonisation being learned today are pioneering. This deliberate and time-intensive effort will not only ensure H2med's success but also establish an essential blueprint for future transnational energy projects.
A successful track record
After officially securing Project of Common Interest (PCI) status from the European Commission in 2024, the year 2025 has been marked by a decisive acceleration for the H2med project. This includes: the signing of Grant Agreements with the European Climate, Infrastructure and Environment Executive Agency (CINEA) for the BarMar and CelZa projects; the creation of the BarMar company last July to develop the interconnection between Barcelona and Marseille; and the reaffirmed political support from all member states involved in the H2med corridor and from the European Commission, which designates the corridor as a priority "energy highway," as well as market support, characterised by the growing strength of the H2med Alliance, which now has 49 members across the entire hydrogen value chain since the event last September in Berlin.
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