CEF funding decision for the “H2 Backbone WAG + Penta West”
A strong signal for Austria on its path to becoming a hydrogen hub: CEF funding decision for the “H2 Backbone WAG + Penta West” hydrogen infrastructure project
Following the renewed successful granting of PCI status in December 2025, the funding application submitted under the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF) programme for the hydrogen infrastructure project “H2 Backbone WAG + Penta West” by our HIAA member Gas Connect Austria has now also received a positive decision. The funding approval sends a clear and positive signal regarding the relevance of the project within the European energy system.
The funding supports the implementation of the Conceptual Engineering Study as well as the preparation of the basic technical engineering (Front-End Engineering Design, FEED). This will allow the technical and economic foundations of this important project to be comprehensively developed. As part of the national hydrogen starter network and the European hydrogen corridor SoutH2 Corridor, “H2 Backbone WAG + Penta West” makes a significant contribution to the development of an integrated European hydrogen infrastructure.
With this funding approval, the strategic importance of the project at the European level is confirmed, representing another step toward strengthening Austria’s role as a future hydrogen hub.