Fluxys Belgium and Creos intensify their cooperation on cross-border hydrogen transmission infrastructure

Ghent, April 17, 2024 – Today, in the context of the State Visit of Their Royal Highnesses the Grand Duke and Grand Duchess of the Grand-Duchy of Luxembourg to the Kingdom of Belgium, the CEOs of Fluxys Belgium and Creos Luxembourg have signed a Letter of Intent on the future cooperation in the field of hydrogen infrastructure.

The signing took place in the presence of Lex Delles, Minister of the Economy, SME, Energy and Tourism of Luxembourg and Tinne Van der Straeten, Minister for Energy of Belgium, who were also present in Gent as being part of the respective delegations. The State visit included the topic of the ongoing energy transition, with a particular focus on hydrogen, which is seen as the hope for the decarbonisation of hard to electrify sectors such as certain processes in industry in Europe.

The Luxembourg Minister of the Economy, Lex Delles, highlighted the importance of this bilateral cooperation in a broader regional context: “For Luxembourg and for other landlocked regions in France or Germany, Belgium, with its direct access to the North Sea, is a strategic partner for securing the supply of sufficient quantities of competitively priced renewable energies needed to decarbonise our societies. This energy will be transported and used in different forms, be it as electrons from large offshore wind farms or as molecules such as hydrogen. The coordinated development of a dedicated interconnected infrastructure is essential to meeting this societal challenge”.

Tinne Van der Straeten, Belgian Federal Minister of Energy added: “Belgium is an energy hub for Northwest Europe, and since the introduction of the Federal Hydrogen Strategy 2021, hydrogen is rapidly gaining momentum. In parallel, the recently adopted Hydrogen and Decarbonised Gas Market Package at European level will support the creation of an optimal and dedicated hydrogen infrastructure as well as an efficient hydrogen market. In this context, I very much welcome the future cooperation between Fluxys and Creos, which will help anchor our industries here in the transition to 100% renewable energy and climate neutrality. Creos and Fluxys have, during the last two years, actively contributed to the development of a long-term cross-border vision on the development of hydrogen grids between their countries, aligned with the 'European Hydrogen Backbone' ”.

In todays signed Letter of Intent, Fluxys and Creos declare to intensify their cooperation with regard to the development of their respective hydrogen infrastructures, evaluating cross-border hydrogen transport through joint feasibility studies, the development of national and European framework legislation and the analysis of national and European funding programmes that could support the construction of hydrogen infrastructure in Luxembourg and Belgium.

Laurence Zenner, CEO of Creos Luxembourg pointed out that “as a historic grid operator in the electricity and natural gas sector, it is important for our company to actively tackle the challenge of decarbonisation by developing infrastructures for alternative energies as hydrogen. This can only succeed if we work together across borders. In this sense, the current and future cooperation with Fluxys Belgium is a very important step for industrial policy and the decarbonisation of our respective economies”.

Pascal De Buck, CEO of Fluxys Belgium underlined that “Multiple strong partnerships are essential for the development of a cross border hydrogen network. Fluxys has an historic collaboration with Creos in securing the natural gas supply for the Grand-Duchy of Luxembourg. This new collaboration is a step forward in the development of the much needed 'European Hydrogen Backbone' that will enable the industry in both countries to decarbonise their activities”.

About Creos Luxembourg

Creos Luxembourg S.A. (Creos) is operator of electricity and natural gas networks across Luxembourg. Its mission is to ensure the transportation and distribution of energy via these networks at transparent tariffs and facilitate the energy transition for its customers. This commitment is upheld equally for all suppliers and in line with the company’s obligation to public service and environmental protection.

Beyond the efficient management of our infrastructure, Creos actively works to foster closer cooperation at a regional level, bridging markets and facilitating smoother operations.

Aware of the economic, social and environmental challenges, Creos has long embraced sustainable development principles. Our Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) policy is deeply rooted in our mission and values, striving to make meaningful contributions to the evolution of our society. Our day-to-day operations are guided by principles of respect, team spirit, commitment and excellence.

With a workforce of 888 employees, Creos oversees a vast network spanning over 12,250 kilometers of electricity lines and more than 2,200 kilometers of gas pipes.

Further information: www.creos.net

Press Office Creos Luxembourg: +352 2624 8777 • communication@creos.net

About Fluxys

Fluxys Belgium is a Euronext-listed subsidiary of energy infrastructure group Fluxys. The company is headquartered in Belgium, has 900 employees and operates 4,000 kilometres of pipelines, a liquefied natural gas terminal with an annual regasification capacity of 174 TWh and an underground storage facility.

As a purpose-led company, Fluxys Belgium together with its stakeholders contributes to a better society by shaping a bright energy future. Building on the unique assets of its infrastructure and its commercial and technical expertise, Fluxys Belgium is committed to transporting hydrogen, biomethane or any other carbon-neutral energy carrier as well as CO₂, accommodating the capture, usage and storage of the latter.

Press Office Fluxys Belgium: +32 471 95 00 24 - press@fluxys.com

www.fluxys.com