In the coming years, the development of new pipeline networks—especially for hydrogen and CO₂—will accelerate significantly, particularly across Europe, and increasingly worldwide. Initiatives such as the European Hydrogen Backbone (EHB) aim to establish a network of over 20,000 km of newly constructed pipelines by 2040. At the same time, CO₂ pipelines are supposed to support carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS) projects.
A central objective of this expansion is to minimize environmental impact—by reducing surface and soil disruption, as well as lowering CO₂ and local emissions like nitrogen oxides, especially in sensitive areas such as Natura 2000 sites. In several countries, regulatory frameworks and client requirements are already shaping pipeline design and installation, influencing construction methods in two key ways.

Firstly, in construction sections where trenchless methods are the only viable solution, such as when crossing rivers, nature reserves and existing infrastructure like transport routes, low-emission operation is increasingly required. This means that trenchless technologies, such as microtunnelling and horizontal directional drilling (HDD), must be powered by electric or electro-hydraulic drive systems. These systems significantly reduce CO₂ emissions on construction sites due to their higher energy efficiency, even when a diesel generator is used for energy supply. In addition, full-electric HDD rigs are quieter, achieving a noise reduction of up to 10 dBA, meaning staff on the jobsite can communicate much more easily.

Secondly, in Europe´s Natura 2000 areas trenchless methods are increasingly being discussed as a sustainable alternative to open-cut. A driving factor for this trend is that innovative microtunnelling technologies can now install pipelines close to the surface, over distances of up to 3–4 km, starting from one target shaft into two directions, without emissions or groundwater lowering. The presentation will showcase upcoming pipeline projects and case studies that address these challenges, along with potential technology solutions.