Europe Gas Tracker 2025

The Europe Gas Tracker 2025 identifies a sprawling planned hydrogen network in Europe consisting of 12 import projects for hydrogen derivatives, 50,165 km of pipelines, and 44.6 GW of hydrogen-burning power capacity. The report argues this scale is unrealistic for decarbonization due to energy inefficiencies and a massive gap between projected green hydrogen production and the network's requirements. Most projects remain in early stages, with no hydrogen derivative import projects having reached final investment decisions. Meanwhile, the report notes that the rapid growth of LNG import capacity, which increased by 31% since February 2022, is slowing as structural gas demand falls and overcapacity emerges.

• Europe has planned a massive hydrogen infrastructure network comprising 12 projects to expand or convert LNG terminals for hydrogen derivatives, 50,165 km of hydrogen gas pipelines, and 44.6 GW of gas-fired power capacity designed to burn hydrogen.
• The proposed hydrogen pipeline network has grown by over 40% since March 2024 and now represents two-fifths of the total length of Europe's existing gas transmission pipeline network. Germany, Spain, and Bulgaria are the leading countries in planning these pipelines.
• Hydrogen infrastructure plans are largely immature and lack detail; no hydrogen derivative import projects have reached final investment decisions (FIDs) or begun construction, and only one small pipeline segment (30 km) at the Port of Rotterdam is currently being built.
• Germany is a primary driver of these plans, accounting for half of the import projects, one-fifth of the pipeline length, and nearly one-third of the hydrogen-burning power capacity in the dataset.
• The report argues that using hydrogen for baseload power and long-distance transport is a flawed strategy because it is energy-inefficient; for example, heating homes with green hydrogen is estimated to use seven times more energy than direct electrification.
• There is a significant deficit in green hydrogen production compared to the needs of the planned network. While the IEA calls for 70 mtpa of capacity by 2030, BNEF estimates only around 16 mtpa may be achievable by that date.
• Europe's LNG import capacity increased by 31% since February 2022, but new proposals have nearly stopped, with only one new terminal (Teesside WaveCrest LNG Terminal) proposed in 2024.
• Current LNG infrastructure in Europe is facing overcapacity, with some terminals showing utilization rates below 50% in the first half of 2024 and others, such as the Wilhelmshaven FSRU, shutting down for the 2024-25 winter season.

APA

Global Energy Monitor (2025). Europe Gas Tracker 2025. https://globalenergymonitor.org/sites/default/files/migration/reports/GEM-Europe-gas-brief-January-2025_11.pdf

Chicago

Global Energy Monitor. Europe Gas Tracker 2025. 2025. https://globalenergymonitor.org/sites/default/files/migration/reports/GEM-Europe-gas-brief-January-2025_11.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=Global Energy Monitor |title=Europe Gas Tracker 2025 |date=January 2025 |url=https://globalenergymonitor.org/sites/default/files/migration/reports/GEM-Europe-gas-brief-January-2025_11.pdf |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{globalenergymonitor2025europe, author = {{Global Energy Monitor}}, title = {{Europe Gas Tracker 2025}}, institution = {Global Energy Monitor}, year = {2025}, month = jan, url = {https://globalenergymonitor.org/sites/default/files/migration/reports/GEM-Europe-gas-brief-January-2025_11.pdf}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }