A coterie of European natural gas infrastructure companies this week expanded its vision for an extensive network of hydrogen pipelines to meet the continent’s future energy needs. 

The European Hydrogen Backbone (EHB) initiative, which consists of 23 natural gas transmission system operators, proposed in a report released Tuesday building a nearly 25,000-mile hydrogen grid. Growth, they said, is expected beyond 2040. 

EHB was formed to better plan dedicated hydrogen transport infrastructure across the continent. The companies, which include major European midstreamers such as Enagás SA, Fluxys, National Grid plc and Snam SpA, said infrastructure maps they released for 2030, 2035 and 2040 are based on an analysis of how the grid could evolve to meet decarbonization...