FrHyGe Newsletter #3: Advancing hydrogen storage in salt caverns

Newsletter #3: September 29, 2026

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Must-read highlights from FrHyGe

From ambition to reality: connecting hydrogen systems across Europe

Europe’s hydrogen strategy is entering a decisive phase.

While ambitious targets have been set — including 10 million tonnes of domestic renewable hydrogen production by 2030 — the reality on the ground remains more complex.

Projects are emerging across Europe, but many still face delays, regulatory uncertainty and economic challenges.

Indeed, the challenge is no longer about ambition — but about implementation.

While projects are multiplying across Europe, many still face delays, regulatory uncertainty and economic challenges.

In particular, current frameworks — including rules on renewable hydrogen (RFNBO) — can slow down projects development and investment decisions.

At the same time, the European Union is strengthening its policy framework through initiatives such as the Clean Industrial Deal, aiming to support industrial decarbonisation and accelerate deployment.

One key question is becoming increasingly clear:

How can Europe move from hydrogen ambitions to a fully operational energy system?

Inside FrHyGe: Expert voices on hydrogen storage and hydrogen systems

Connecting hydrogen systems across Europe: the role of infrastructure and storage

As hydrogen projects scale up across Europe, connecting production, transport and storage infrastructures is becoming a key challenge. In this third edition, Enagás (José A. Lana, R&D Coordinator) and NaTran (Claudia Paijens, Head of Gas Quality R&D & Pierre ROY, Head of laboratory) share their perspectives on how infrastructure development and cross-border cooperation will shape the future hydrogen ecosystem — and the role projects like FrHyGe can play in this transformation.

1. What is your respective rôle within the FrHyGe project, and how does your background as transmission system operators prepare you to contribute to a project focused on underground hydrogen storage?

J A. Lana: Enagás involvement in the project focusses on studies for the replication of the FrHyGe concept at the European level, as well as support for dissemination and communication activities. With more than 50 years of experience managing the natural gas system in Spain, including 3 underground storage facilities, Enagás contributes to the project as an expert in storage operation and as a promoter of the technological development required for underground hydrogen storage (UHS)...

P. Roy & C. Paijens: At NaTran, we bring a transmission system operator’s perspective to FrHyGe. Our role is to ensure that underground hydrogen storage can be safely monitored, qualified and integrated into future transmission networks. Through our R&I activities, notably led by claudia Paijens, Head of Gas Quality R&D at NaTran, we focus on hydrogen quality, measurement and operational interfaces, which are key to bridging storage and network operation...