Germany and Algeria advance construction of hydrogen pipeline

Italy on board as third partner

The pipeline plans do not yet constitute a finished infrastructure. As emerges from the Federal Government's information, an existing corridor would have to be converted or expanded. It is thus clear that considerable construction work and investments will be necessary for the realization of the project.

The background is the search for new import routes for hydrogen, which as a climate-friendly energy carrier is to play a central role in the transformation of industry. North Africa offers favorable conditions for this: in Algeria and Tunisia, large quantities of green hydrogen can be produced from solar and wind power. Via a pipeline, the energy carrier could reach Europe directly, without the detour of costly liquefaction and ship transport.

Strategic background: search for new energy sources

With the project, Germany and its partners are also responding to the consequences of the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine and the loss of Russian gas supplies. For years, the Federal Government has been increasingly searching for alternative energy sources and supplier countries in order to reduce dependence on individual exporters.

Economic relations between Germany and Algeria are also to be strengthened overall. Merz and Tebboune also emphasized their desire to strengthen the economic relations between Germany and Algeria. Algeria is one of Africa's most important gas suppliers and is an increasingly relevant partner for the Federal Government in North Africa.

Open questions on timeline and costs

Neither Merz nor Tebboune provided detailed information on the timeline and the concrete costs of the pipeline project at the press conference. Open questions about financing, the legal framework, and the participation of further European states also initially remained unanswered.

The press conference between Federal Chancellor Merz and President Tebboune took place on Thursday in Berlin. This news was broadcast on 16.07.2026 on the Deutschlandfunk program. Both sides, however, signaled the political will to advance the project swiftly.