# Kawasaki and Transgaz hydrogen infrastructure partnership

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/kawasaki-and-transgaz-hydrogen-infrastructure-partnership
> Updated: 2026-10-26T07:25:52.000Z. Sources: 7. Developments: 2.

Kawasaki Heavy Industries and Romania’s state-controlled natural gas operator, Transgaz, have entered into a memorandum of understanding to develop large-scale onshore hydrogen gas transport via pipelines. Announced at the Romania–Japan Innovation Forum 2026 in Tokyo, the partnership aims to establish a model for the safe and stable supply of hydrogen to Central and Eastern Europe.

The collaboration focuses on testing Kawasaki’s KM Comp-H2 centrifugal hydrogen compressor technology in Romania. This pilot project represents what Kawasaki describes as a “world-first attempt” to realize large-scale hydrogen gas transport through onshore pipelines. 

The initiative is supported by Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) as part of a program to strengthen ties with Central and Eastern European countries and support Ukraine’s reconstruction. Transgaz intends to integrate hydrogen from renewable and low-carbon sources into its existing network, aligning with the European Hydrogen Backbone and the EU’s Hydrogen Strategy. The company’s long-term development plan includes over EUR 4.9 billion in projects to repurpose natural gas infrastructure for hydrogen blending and transmission.

## Timeline

### 2026-10-26: Transgaz and Kawasaki partner for large-scale hydrogen transport testing

Transgaz and Kawasaki Heavy Industries have partnered to test large-scale hydrogen pipeline transport, featuring a pilot project using specialized centrifugal compressors in Romania.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/transgaz-and-kawasaki-partner-for-large-scale-hydrogen-transport-testing

### 2026-10-23: Kawasaki and Transgaz partner for hydrogen pipeline transport

Kawasaki Heavy Industries and Romania’s Transgaz have signed an MOU to develop large-scale onshore hydrogen transport via pipelines, aiming to establish Romania as an energy hub for Central and Eastern Europe.

5 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/kawasaki-and-transgaz-partner-for-hydrogen-pipeline-transport

---
Cite as: Kawasaki and Transgaz hydrogen infrastructure partnership. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/kawasaki-and-transgaz-hydrogen-infrastructure-partnership