Q&A From natural gas to hydrogen Spain’s Enagás, which owns and operates the nation’s natural gas grid, is also a partner in Europe’s Hydrogen Backbone project. Ardian asked former chief executive Marcelino Oreja about the attractions of hydrogen to the company. Q: Enagás has turned strongly towards hardly any hydrogen is produced today, hydrogen. Why? and no big, dramatic increases in output A: Enagás has pledged to be carbon will be achieved in the short term. To neutral by 2040. Renewable gases ramp-up production in the medium-term such as hydrogen will play a key role in requires: achieving this target. More importantly, Enagás is absolutely aligned with the • A focus on innovation and technology framework established by the European • New venture capital and hydrogen Commission through its Hydrogen valleys Strategy, approved in 2020. Contributing • New projects with long-term to decarbonization objectives will offtake contracts and public-private generate new business opportunities partnerships and economic growth, and contribute • State support, since cheap hydrogen to reinventing our economy and moving will be difficult without it, at least towards a more sustainable model. initially That’s why we are participating in 55 renewable gas projects, with more than Q: What could facilitate hydrogen 50 partners, 34 of which are related to injection into the natural gas pipeline green hydrogen. network? We need a common European framework Q: What would stimulate demand for Q&A with to go alongside national hydrogen hydrogen around the world? MARCELINO OREJA roadmaps. That would include certificates To increase demand, it’s essential to lower of origin that meet all European and the price of green hydrogen. Scaling up Former CEO, Enagás national criteria, to guarantee the is the key to achieving that, so it’s about renewable origin of hydrogen, whether supply. That’s on everyone’s lips, but injected into the grid or not. When that’s 52