French energy company TotalEnergies SE and Austrian utility Verbund AG have signed a memorandum of understanding with Tunisia's government to explore the production of green hydrogen in Tunisia for export to Europe through a planned pipeline. The joint venture, TE H2, intends to implement the H2 Notos project, which will utilize electrolyzers powered by onshore wind and solar farms, along with desalinated sea water, to produce an initial 200,000 tons of green hydrogen annually. This initiative aligns with European efforts to reduce fossil fuel usage, particularly in industries like steelmaking, and decrease reliance on Russian natural gas. The planned SoutH2 Corridor pipeline project is anticipated to facilitate the export of green hydrogen from North Africa to Italy, Austria, and Germany. While there is significant interest and support for green hydrogen projects in Europe, large-scale production and transport remain costlier than conventional gas options. CEO David Corchia emphasized the structural energy deficit in Europe and Asia and highlighted the importance of financing such projects to enhance energy security. The H2 Notos project's first phase entails substantial investments in constructing the hydrogen production plant, developing 3 gigawatts of renewable power capacity, and establishing a pipeline network within Tunisia. The final investment decision is projected for 2027 at the earliest. Verbund, as a minor stakeholder in the project, is expected to be a key buyer of the clean hydrogen, along with other companies in Germany and Austria. Additionally, TE H2 is actively pursuing green hydrogen projects in various countries worldwide, including Chile, Mauritania, and Australia.