Partners Unveil Corrib Green Hydrogen Plan

Why It Matters

The project could transform existing gas assets into a low‑carbon hydrogen hub, accelerating Ireland’s climate‑neutral goals and creating new economic opportunities in the west.

Key Takeaways

• Pilot tests green hydrogen at Corrib terminal.
• Uses renewable electricity and existing gas infrastructure.
• Feasibility studies focus on wind resource and grid connection.
• Could create industrial‑scale hydrogen hub in western Ireland.
• Aligns with Ireland’s National Hydrogen Strategy.

Pulse Analysis

Green hydrogen is emerging as a cornerstone of Europe’s decarbonisation agenda, offering a carbon‑free fuel that can be stored, transported and used across industry, transport and power sectors. Ireland, with abundant wind resources and a growing renewable electricity portfolio, is well positioned to develop domestic hydrogen capacity. The Bellanaboy Bridge gas terminal, originally built for the Corrib oil field, provides a strategic foothold on the Atlantic coast, combining existing pipelines, storage tanks and offshore access. Repurposing this infrastructure for hydrogen reduces capital outlay and leverages decades of operational expertise.

The collaboration between Gas Networks Ireland, Nephin Energy and Vermilion Energy formalises a pilot that will blend renewable electricity with the terminal’s gas network to produce green hydrogen via electro‑lysis. Feasibility studies will map the site’s wind resource, assess grid interconnection options, and evaluate the technical modifications required for safe hydrogen handling. By using the same pipelines and storage vessels, the project aims to demonstrate cost‑effective scale‑up pathways while maintaining safety standards. Early modelling points to industrial‑scale output as the most economically attractive scenario, given the terminal’s location and access to offshore wind farms.

If the pilot proves viable, the Bellanaboy site could evolve into one of Ireland’s primary hydrogen hubs, supplying clean fuel to regional manufacturers, heavy‑duty transport and potential export markets. The initiative dovetails with the Irish National Hydrogen Strategy, which earmarks green hydrogen as a key enabler of the country’s net‑zero target by 2050. Beyond emissions reductions, the project promises to generate skilled jobs, attract specialist investment and stimulate ancillary supply chains in the west of Ireland. Success would also signal to international investors that Ireland can deliver integrated renewable‑gas solutions at scale.