A consortium led by French energy giant TotalEnergies and Austrian electricity company VERBUND signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Tunisia on Tuesday, May 28, to explore the development of a large-scale green hydrogen project.

As announced by TC Energy, the project, "H2 Notos," aims to produce clean-burning hydrogen using renewable energy sources like wind and solar power, with desalinated seawater supplying the electrolysis process that creates hydrogen.

“The signing of this MOU with the Republic of Tunisia marks the actual start of this highly ambitious project after months of work and interactions with all stakeholders,” said David Corchia, CEO of TE H2. 

“We are delighted to partner with VERBUND to support the development of such a pioneering and ambitious endeavor in such a strategic location,” he added.

H2 Notos is envisioned to produce 200,000 tons of green hydrogen annually in its initial phase, with the potential to ramp up production to one million tons per year in southern Tunisia.

The green hydrogen produced would be exported to Central Europe through the planned "SoutH2 Corridor" pipeline, expected to be operational by 2030 and connect North Africa to Italy, Austria, and Germany.

Fatma Thabet Chiboub, Tunisia’s Minister of Industry, Mines and Energy, hailed the MoU as a significant step towards sustainable energy in her country. 

“This agreement with TE H2 and VERBUND marks a significant step forward in our quest for clean, sustainable energy,” said Chiboub. 

“Tunisia, firmly committed to its energy transition, sees in this project a strategic pivot to strengthen its attractiveness as a destination of choice for foreign investment in renewable energies.” 

TE H2, a joint venture between TotalEnergies and EREN Groupe, will lead the project's development, financing, construction, and operation alongside VERBUND. VERBUND will also take responsibility for coordinating the transportation of the produced hydrogen to Central Europe.