The ‘Fos Berre Provence’ public debate

What is the background to the HYnframed project and its connections?

The discussions and studies conducted by us over the last few years show that a large area between Fos-sur-Mer (Bouches-du-Rhône) and Manosque (Alpes-de-Haute-Provence) is a promising and strategic basin for the production and use of renewable, low-carbon hydrogen.

The presence of heavy industries that include steel manufacturing, refining, petrochemicals and energy means this area has great potential for reducing its greenhouse gas emissions. Fos is also home to projects for the production of e-SAF (Electro-Sustainable Aviation Fuel), which is made from low-carbon hydrogen produced on site and CO₂ captured in the region.
For all of these reasons, the South of France - Provence-Alpes-Côte-d’Azur region is set to play a strategic role in the future national and European hydrogen backbone project known as HY-FEN. We have therefore decided to launch a number of hydrogen transport infrastructure projects in these regions to support manufacturers who are striving to achieve low-carbon trajectories.

“Creating and operating a gas transmission network is our historical area of expertise. The region’s manufacturers need a turnkey operator that can bring everyone together around an open, shared project: that's our strength and our role,” explains Mathieu Gillet, Project Director in charge of HYnframed engineering at NaTran.

What are the expected benefits of HYnframed for the Fos-sur-Mer industrial port zone?

According to our initial assessments, the HYnframed hydrogen transport infrastructure could reduce CO2 emissions by around 4 million tonnes by 2040, which represents almost 30% of the emissions of the Fos industrial port zone.

“As well as accelerating decarbonisation, HYnframed could also help to maintain and even develop the industrial fabric of this zone,”, adds Caroline Migné, Business Developer in charge of overall project management at NaTran.

What is the scope of the NaTran projects presented for public debate?

We are presenting the HYnframed hydrogen transport network project, which spans Fos-sur-Mer, Port-Saint-Louis-du-Rhône, Arles, Port-de-Bouc and Martigues. The NaTran project brings manufacturers from the petrochemical, chemical and cement sectors together with hydrogen producers, all of whom are stakeholders and co-financers. ADEME and the South of France region helped to fund the feasibility studies we carried out in 2022, as well as the basic engineering studies that are currently underway.

We are also presenting two of HYnframed’s strategic territorial connections:

• The connection to the HY-FEN project, between Fos-sur-Mer and Saint-Martin-de-Crau. HY-FEN will eventually form the future hydrogen transport backbone between the South of France and the German border.
• The connection to Manosque, which will link up with the GeoH2 project for large-capacity hydrogen storage in salt caverns. Like HY-FEN, this project is included on the European Union’s list of Projects of Common Interest (PCIs).
  Between them, these three projects represent around 180 km of hydrogen transport network, across 30 towns.

What is the planned timetable?

• The HYnframed network is scheduled to come into service between late 2029 and mid-2030.
• Connection to HY-FEN (the ‘HY-FEN link’) and to the GeoH2 storage site (the ‘GeoH2 link’) is scheduled to come into service between late 2030 and mid-2031, depending on the needs expressed by the third parties concerned (producers, consumers, storage operators).

What impact is the project expected to have?

We are committed to carrying out all the necessary studies to avoid or reduce the impact of the project on the region and its inhabitants.
“For hydrogen, as for all our other projects, our approach is always to integrate our infrastructure into the local area and to minimise our impact during both the construction and operation phases,”, explains Mathieu Gillet.

The method we will apply on the site follows the ‘ARC’ principles of the French Environmental Code: ‘Avoid-Reduce-Compensate’. This involves, in order:

• Finding solutions to avoid impacting the environment;
• When impacts are unavoidable, taking measures to reduce the effects of the project on the environment ;
• Compensate for residual impacts.

Why is this public debate important for NaTran?

The ‘Debating the Industrial Future of Fos Berre Provence’ public debate will be an opportunity for us to raise public awareness about the strategic role of hydrogen in the energy transition and decarbonisation of the country, particularly in its industrial sector. It should enable us to highlight the expected benefits, both on an environmental and economic level, for the areas concerned and the entire South of France region.

“This consultation process will also give us a better understanding of the expectations and concerns of local people and stakeholders throughout the project’s scope. Gathering feedback on the project’s study area* will enable us to optimise the project: route, timetable, measures, etc.,” explains Caroline Migné.

To ensure that all participants have a clear understanding of the issues at stake, we will communicate transparently on the technical choices that need to be made, the environmental impacts and risk prevention measures.

You will find all the resources and useful links you need to take part in the public debate our HYnframed page.

* The study area is a 4 km wide strip of land within which the route with the lowest impact will be determined for the future network.