Europe, China Outpace U.S. in Hydrogen Pipeline Development

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Written by Will Ploch, Assistant Editor-in-Chief for IIR News Intelligence (Sugar Land, Texas)

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Europe Fuels 'Green' Push

Calls for hydrogen pipeline development are growing across Europe and Asia, with the U.S. moving at a much slower pace. The trend is most noticeable in European countries vowing to reduce their carbon footprints. According to Industrial Info Resources data, more than US$53 billion worth of hydrogen pipeline projects are active or proposed worldwide, with Europe accounting for about 88% of the total investment.

Industrial Info Resources is tracking 7,681 miles of operational pipelines worldwide that are carrying, or planning to carry, hydrogen. These include 1,581 miles in the U.S. and 3,549 miles in Germany. Another 15,552 miles are planned, engineered or under construction worldwide, including 2,366 miles in the U.S. and 3,470 miles in China.

One of the lines under construction in China could be completed as early as the fourth quarter: China Huadian Corporation's 121-mile green-hydrogen pipeline in and around Baotou, Inner Mongolia. The line is part of the state-owned company's broader efforts to develop the zero-carbon fuel, which include a 'Power-to-X' plant in Alxa League, Inner Mongolia, that is slated to begin construction later this year.

Industrial Info Resources offers more information on the Inner Mongolia projects in its Global Market Intelligence (GMI) Oil & Gas Pipeline and Project databases, where readers can find details--including construction schedules, investment values and necessary equipment--in a pipeline profile and project reports on the new line and 'Power-to-X' plant.

Germany is among the countries to have invested most heavily in hydrogen pipeline development, with plans to spend roughly 19 billion euros (US$22 billion) on a "core grid" by 2032. Among its major components is RWE and Open Grid Europe's (OGE) H2ercules initiative, which is designed to span about 1,250 miles and supply green hydrogen to numerous terminals throughout the nation. The 28-mile Legden-to-Dorsten segment, formerly a natural gas pipeline, is set to begin construction this summer, while a grassroot, eight-mile segment in the Wilhelmshaven Port area could kick off later this year.

Readers can learn more from detailed reports on the Legden-to-Dorsten and Wilhelmshaven Port area segments, and can learn about the H2ercules project more broadly from a list of project reports.

Germany isn't alone in converting some of its existing lines to carry green hydrogen: In March, Italian energy company Snam announced plans to repurpose about 60% of its natural gas pipeline network to carry the zero-carbon fuel. For more information, readers can consult Industrial Info Resources' March 9, 2026, article - Italy Pipeline Project to Establish Hydrogen Network for Country.

By the Numbers

• More than US$53 billion: Total investment in active or proposed hydrogen pipeline projects worldwide
• 7,681 miles: Total length of operational pipelines worldwide that are carrying, or planning to carry, hydrogen
• About US$22 billion: Germany's projected total investment in green hydrogen pipelines through 2032

U.S. Buildouts Face Major Hurdles

Development of hydrogen pipelines has been slower in the U.S., where heavy costs and a lack of regulatory framework have weighed on the sector. The Trump administration also cancelled billions of dollars in federal funding for two "hydrogen hub" projects, although others remain active.

Most of the nation's 1,581 miles of operational hydrogen pipelines are in Texas, Louisiana and California, where they serve the Petroleum Refining and Chemical Processing industries.

The U.S. Southwest, however, is showing some potential for development. Tallgrass Energy Partners is proposing the Greenview Hydrogen Pipeline Project, which would carry a natural gas-hydrogen blend 234 miles across tribal lands in Arizona and New Mexico. Tallgrass initially proposed a pure hydrogen line, but abandoned the idea due to market uncertainties.

The New Mexico segment would run from Shiprock, in the state's northwest corner, to the state border near Gallup, while the Arizona segment would run from the border to an area north of Flagstaff. Readers can learn more from detailed reports on the New Mexico and Arizona segments.

On the West Coast, Sempra Energy is facing a lengthy permitting process for its proposed Angeles Link Pipeline, which is designed to deliver low-carbon energy to the Los Angeles area. One segment from Baker to Victorville would involve a line connecting two new compressor stations. Readers can learn more about the long-gestating project from reports on the pipeline, Baker station and Victorville station.

The Industrial Info Resources GMI Project and Plant databases offer a full list of detailed reports for projects mentioned in this article.

Industrial Info Resources also offers a full list of reports for active and proposed hydrogen pipeline projects worldwide, and full list of profiles for operational hydrogen pipelines.

Key Takeaways

• Germany and China are among the countries to have invested most heavily in hydrogen pipeline development.
• Some European countries are converting swaths of natural gas pipelines to instead carry hydrogen.
• Development in the U.S. has been hindered by heavy costs and a lack of regulatory framework.

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About Industrial Info Resources
Industrial Info Resources (IIR) is the leading provider of industrial market intelligence. Since 1983, IIR has provided comprehensive research, news, and analysis on the industrial process, manufacturing, and energy-related industries. IIR's Global Market Intelligence (GMI) helps companies identify and pursue trends across multiple markets with access to real, qualified, and verified plant and project opportunities. Across the world, Industrial Info Resources is tracking over 250,000 current and future projects worth $30.2 trillion (USD).