Transgaz and Kawasaki will test the large-scale transport of pure hydrogen through onshore pipelines in Romania

Transgaz and Japanese group Kawasaki Heavy Industries have entered into a strategic partnership to develop the large-scale transport of gaseous hydrogen through the onshore pipelines owned by the Romanian operator in Central and Eastern Europe. The collaboration aims to strengthen Romania’s role as a regional energy hub and create a model for the safe and stable supply of hydrogen to neighboring countries.

The first stage will consist of demonstration tests in Romania, using Kawasaki’s KM Comp-H 22 centrifugal hydrogen compressor. According to the Japanese company, the initiative would be the first in the world to target the large-scale transport of pure hydrogen through pipelines.

The demonstration is part of the “Romania – Demonstration Project for a Feasibility Study on the Hydrogen Supply Chain.” It was selected under Japan’s “Future-Oriented Co-Creation with the Global South” program, funded through METI’s supplementary budget for fiscal year 2024 and intended, among other things, to support Ukraine’s reconstruction and cooperation with Central and Eastern European countries.

Kawasaki says that using centrifugal compressors could help reduce hydrogen supply costs and develop infrastructure capable of transporting large volumes at high pressures. The technology is expected to be subsequently integrated into a broader chain of hydrogen-based products, such as turbines, engines, ships and tanks.

Transgaz operates, maintains and develops Romania’s national natural gas transmission system. In the middle of the year, the company reported net profit of 303.658 million lei and revenue of 1.594 billion lei.