H2 Backbone WAG + Penta-West – Hydrogen for Austria and Europe

With the H2 Backbone WAG + Penta-West project, Gas Connect Austria is driving the transformation of the Austrian gas network towards a future-proof hydrogen infrastructure. The expansion of the existing West-Austria-Gas Pipeline (WAG) and the Penta-West Pipeline (PW) with parallel hydrogen pipelines will enable the bidirectional transport of around 150 GWh per day between Austria, Slovakia, and Germany. At the same time, the connection of the WAG to the Trans Austria Gas Pipeline (TAG) at the Baumgarten hub ensures integration into the SoutH2 Corridor.

By the early 2030s, more than 200 kilometers of new pipelines are to be built and around 140 kilometers of the existing system converted for hydrogen transport. This will create a powerful link for hydrogen imports, European transit, and the supply of industrial consumers.

Hydrogen from the South – a key link in the SoutH2 Corridor

The project is a central part of the SoutH2 Corridor – a hydrogen corridor of around 3,300 kilometers stretching from North Africa via Italy and Austria to Germany. Its aim is to bring large volumes of renewable hydrogen from sun- and wind-rich regions to Central Europe. The Austrian section is covered by the projects H2 Backbone WAG + Penta-West and H2 Readiness of the TAG Pipeline System of TAG GmbH. In regular trilateral discussions between Italy, Austria, and Germany, the necessary steps for expansion are coordinated, and political as well as regulatory frameworks are set.

Transport route for hydrogen from the East – the link via H2EU+Store

The project is also closely linked to the H2EU+Store initiative. At the heart of this initiative is an integrated approach that considers the entire value chain of the future hydrogen market – from the production of green hydrogen in Ukraine through transport and storage to end use. With H2 Backbone WAG + Penta-West, Gas Connect Austria provides the required transport infrastructure and the connection to central storage and distribution markets. In this way, green hydrogen can reliably reach where it is needed – for industry, energy supply, and decarbonization.

European support – PCI status as a door opener

The H2 Backbone WAG + Penta-West project strengthens domestic security of supply with renewable energy and contributes to Austria’s and Europe’s climate targets. In 2023, it was included for the first time in the Union list as a Project of Common Interest (PCI) and was confirmed in 2024 by the European Parliament and the Council. Since the PCI list is adopted every two years, the project was resubmitted for the next list at the end of 2024 and was successfully included again in 2025. PCI status not only offers the prospect of funding from the Connecting Europe Facility but also enables accelerated permitting procedures.

A major step for Austria’s and Europe’s energy transition

With its strategic location and high transport capacity, H2 Backbone WAG + Penta-West makes a decisive contribution to Europe’s security of supply with renewable energy. Integration into the SoutH2 Corridor and H2EU+Store ensures that Austria and its neighboring countries are optimally connected to future European hydrogen flows – and that the energy transition succeeds not only nationally, but across Europe as a whole.

Further information on the projects and import initiatives can be found at:

https://h2backbone-wag-pw.at/
https://www.taggmbh.at/h2-readiness/
https://www.south2corridor.net/
https://www.h2euplusstore.com/