The developers behind the BarMar hydrogen pipeline have launched a major public consultation process in France for the cross-border infrastructure project designed to transport renewable hydrogen from the Iberian Peninsula to France and onward into northwest Europe.

The consultation, which runs from May 6 through July 12, 2026, marks a significant milestone for the BarMar project — a central component of the broader H2med corridor linking hydrogen production hubs in Portugal and Spain with industrial demand centers in France and Germany.

BarMar is planned as a subsea hydrogen pipeline connecting Barcelona, Spain, with Fos-sur-Mer in southern France. The project is expected to transport up to 2 million metric tons per year of renewable hydrogen, positioning the Iberian Peninsula as a major supplier of low-carbon energy to Europe.

Project sponsors said the consultation process will allow residents, local officials, environmental groups and other stakeholders to review technical details, ask questions and provide feedback on the project’s objectives, routing and implementation plans. The consultation is being overseen by France’s National Commission for Public Debate (CNDP), which appointed independent guarantors to supervise the process.

According to project information, the consultation will include 25 public events held across the French Mediterranean region between the Spanish border and Fos-sur-Mer. Three major public meetings are scheduled in Gruissan on May 6, Canet-en-Roussillon on June 17 and Fos-sur-Mer on July 6, with livestream access available online.

The BarMar pipeline forms part of the European Union’s strategy to decarbonize heavy industry and reduce greenhouse gas emissions under the European Green Deal. Renewable hydrogen has become a cornerstone of the EU’s energy transition plans, particularly for sectors difficult to electrify directly.

The project has gained momentum over the past year. In 2025, transmission system operators Enagás, NaTran and Teréga established a joint venture company dedicated to developing the pipeline. The consortium also secured European Union funding through the Connecting Europe Facility to support engineering, marine surveys and environmental studies.

European regulators have continued to back the initiative. In April 2026, the European Union confirmed Project of Common Interest (PCI) status for the BarMar and CelZa interconnections, enabling access to streamlined permitting procedures and additional funding opportunities.

Developers say the corridor could eventually cover roughly 10% of Europe’s hydrogen consumption by around 2030.