Transgaz and Kawasaki partner for large-scale hydrogen transport testing

Romanian national gas transmission operator Transgaz and Kawasaki Heavy Industries have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to cooperate on hydrogen energy infrastructure and joint Romania-Japan projects. The agreement was signed in Tokyo during the 4th Romania-Japan Innovation Forum.

A key component of this partnership involves testing the KM Comp-H 22 centrifugal hydrogen compressor in Romania. This pilot project aims to test the large-scale transport of hydrogen through pipelines, which Kawasaki describes as a world-first attempt of its kind. The initiative is supported by Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry under the Global South program.

Transgaz, which operates approximately 14,000 kilometers of gas transmission networks, is focusing on integrating hydrogen from renewable and low-carbon sources into its existing system. This aligns with the European Hydrogen Backbone and the EU’s Hydrogen Strategy. The company’s ten-year development plan includes over EUR 4.9 billion in projects to repurpose natural gas infrastructure for hydrogen blending and transmission.