TotalEnergies and VERBUND Investigate Green Hydrogen Production in Tunisia

TE H2, a collaboration between TotalEnergies and EREN Group, along with VERBUND, Austria’s top electricity provider, has entered into a Memorandum of Understanding with the Republic of Tunisia to explore the feasibility of a significant green hydrogen initiative named "H2 Notos." This project aims to export green hydrogen to Central Europe via pipelines.

H2 Notos endeavors to generate green hydrogen through electrolysers fueled by extensive onshore wind and solar installations and utilizing desalinated seawater. Initially, the project targets an annual production of 200,000 tons of green hydrogen, with plans for scaling up to one million tons annually in South Tunisia. It will tap into the European market via the "SoutH2 Corridor," a hydrogen pipeline project linking North Africa to Italy, Austria, and Germany, anticipated to commence operations around 2030.

TE H2 and VERBUND will spearhead the development, financing, construction, and operation of the comprehensive project, spanning from green electricity generation to green hydrogen production. Additionally, VERBUND will oversee the transportation of the produced hydrogen to Central Europe.

David Corchia, TE H2's CEO, remarked, "The signing of this MOU with the Republic of Tunisia marks the commencement of this highly ambitious project after months of diligent work and engagements with all stakeholders. We are excited to collaborate with VERBUND in advancing such a groundbreaking initiative in such a strategic location. H2 Notos holds the promise of becoming a significant provider of green hydrogen for Europe while facilitating substantial job opportunities in Tunisia. We are now entering a phase of greenfield development and intensive technical assessments to evaluate the project's feasibility, and we look forward to further strengthening the productive collaboration we have had with national and local authorities through H2 Notos."

Fatma Thabet Chiboub, Tunisia's Minister of Industry, Mines, and Energy, remarked, "This agreement with TE H2 and VERBUND signifies a significant stride in our pursuit of clean, sustainable energy. Tunisia, staunchly dedicated to its energy transition, views this project as a strategic cornerstone to bolster its appeal as a prime destination for foreign investment in renewable energies."

Michael Strugl, CEO of VERBUND AG, remarked, "Tunisia holds particular importance as an upstream region due to its scalability and competitiveness, forming a significant component of VERBUND's hydrogen strategy. Our aim is to provide the European industry with green hydrogen. Through the combination of competitive hydrogen production in Tunisia and pipeline-based transportation, we can ensure a sustainable, large-scale supply to facilitate our customers' transition to green hydrogen and promote sustainable economic development in Tunisia. We are excited to collaborate with a robust consortium capable of realizing gigawatt-scale projects and eagerly anticipate developing them in partnership with the Tunisian authorities and population."

TE H2 is an 80/20 joint venture established by TotalEnergies and EREN Groupe, focusing on the development and structuring of large-scale green hydrogen initiatives situated in prime locations with abundant renewable resources, including North Africa, Latin America, and Australia. Comprising a skilled team with vast expertise in the development, construction, and operation of wind and solar projects worldwide, TE H2 aims to leverage its technical knowledge and experience to deliver renewable energy projects of significant global impact. These endeavors seek to offer affordable, sustainable, reliable, and accessible energy solutions to communities worldwide.