Network development plan gas/hydrogen

The network development plan (NDP) and the scenario framework that underlies it are the main components of the rolling network development process. The legal basis for the NDP is the German Energy Industry Act (EnWG).

infozeichen_blau

Update from 20 Dezember 2023:
Request for amendment to the Gas NDP 2022-2032 by the Bundesnetzagentur

More about this

Stages of the network development planning process

The EnWG requires the gas transmission system operators (TSOs) to draw up a joint NDP covering the whole of the country in every even-numbered year. The plan must include all measures for enhancing, reinforcing and expanding the network in line with requirements and for guaranteeing security of supply that are effective and necessary for secure and reliable network operation in the next ten years. In the intervening years, the TSOs must submit a joint implementation report by 1 April.

The three phases of the network development plan

Phase 1: Scenario framework

First the TSOs draw up a scenario framework. The scenarios aim to present possible developments in the gas sector over the next 10 years. They take account of various factors, including assumptions about developments in gas production, supply and consumption and about planned investments in networks and storage facilities as well as possible supply interruptions.

Consultation by the TSOs

Once the scenario framework has been published, the TSOs give the public and downstream system operators the opportunity to comment on it. After completion of the consultation process, the TSOs submit the draft scenario framework to the Bundesnetzagentur.
Confirmation by the Bundesnetzagentur
The Bundesnetzagentur assesses and confirms the scenario framework, taking account of the responses to the public consultation.

Phase 2: Network Development Plan

Next, the NDP itself is developed. The TSOs use the scenario framework to model the network expansion requirements for the next 10 years.

Consultation by the TSOs

In every even-numbered year the TSOs draw up a draft NDP and give the public and downstream system operators the opportunity to comment on it before submitting the draft to the Bundesnetzagentur. The necessary information is provided on the FNB Gas Website.
Submission of the enhanced draft NDP to the Bundesnetzagentur
Once the draft has been revised, the enhanced draft of the NDP is submitted to the Bundesnetzagentur, which holds its own consultation for all actual and potential network users and publishes the results.
Examination of the Gas NDP and possible requests for amendment

The Bundesnetzagentur can request the TSOs to amend the NDP within three months of publishing the consultation results. The TSOs have three months to make the amendments. The Bundesnetzagentur can decide which TSO should be responsible for implementing a certain measure in the Gas NDP. If the Bundesnetzagentur does not request any amendments within the three-month period, the NDP becomes binding for the TSOs.

Phase 3: Implementation report on the NDP

The TSOs submit a joint implementation report to the Bundesnetzagentur on 1 April in each odd-numbered calendar year.

Publication by the TSOs

The TSOs must state the progress achieved in implementing the most recently published NDP. Should network expansion be behind schedule, the TSOs must give information on the main reasons for delays.
Assessment and consultation by the Bundesnetzagentur

The Bundesnetzagentur reviews and publishes the implementation report and gives all potential network users a chance to submit their views.

Additionally, the network code on capacity allocation mechanisms (NC CAM) specifies an incremental-Capacity-Verfahren for the market-based determination of the demand for and, if necessary, creation of additional capacity at cross-border interconnection points. The results of the process serve as a sound basis for determining the TSOs' demand for network expansion.

Request for amendment to the Gas NDP 2022-2032

Phase 2

The infrastructure plan must include all measures that are effective and necessary for secure and reliable network operation in the next 10 years. These include all measures for enhancing, reinforcing and expanding the network in line with requirements and for ensuring security of supply.

The Bundesnetzagentur can request the TSOs to amend the draft NDP within three months of publishing the consultation results.

On XY December 2023 the Bundesnetzagentur made use of this option and submitted a request for amendment to the TSOs.

With a total of 133 measures and an investment volume of €4.1bn the request for amendment confirms most of the measures proposed by the TSOs.

The confirmed measures cover:

safeguarding the security of supply against the backdrop of the different flow situation;
transporting additional LNG volumes;
meeting the needs of gas-fired power plants;
transitioning from low-calorific to high-calorific gas;
converting natural gas infrastructure to hydrogen in the long term through minor expansion measures in the natural gas network (natural gas-enhancing measures).

Request for amendment to the Gas NDP 2020-2030 (in German)

The publication of the request for amendment places an obligation on the TSOs to incorporate the changes issued into the existing NDP within the next three months.

Legal basis: Section 15a EnWG; Section 15a Abs. 3 S. 5 EnWG

Consultation results of the Gas NDP 2022-2032

Phase 2

The actual and potential network users had the opportunity in the Bundesnetzagentur's consultation process from 16 May until 13 June 2023 to submit comments on the draft Gas NDP 2022-2032.

Twenty-five responses to the consultation were received.

The consultation results are linked below

Consultation results Gas NDP 2022-2032 in German

Gesetzliche Grundlage: Section 15a(3) sentence 1 EnWG

NDP consultation

Phase 2

Following the submission of the draft Gas NDP 2022-2032 by the TSOs, the Bundesnetzagentur carried out a written consultation of all actual and potential network users.

Consultation questionnaire for the draft Gas Network Development Plan 2022-2032 (pdf / 185 KB)
Consultation questionnaire for the draft Gas Network Development Plan 2022-2032 in German
Draft Gas NDP 2022-2032 in German

Scenario framework Gas NDP 2022-2032

Phase 1

The first step in the process of drawing up the Gas NDP is the development of a scenario framework by the TSOs.

The TSOs make assumptions about developments in gas production, supply and consumption as well as exchange with other countries.

The scenario framework, published in odd-numbered years, includes planned investments in regional and Community-wide networks, storage facilities and LNG regasification facilities as well as possible supply interruptions.

It forms the basis of the national Gas NDP that the TSOs must draw up every two years and present to the Bundesnetzagentur.

Legal Basis: Section 15a sentence 4 EnWG

Consultation document on the scenario framework

The TSOs published the consultation document on the scenario framework for the Gas NDP 2022-2032 on 21 June 2021. A central theme of the document is hydrogen and green gases as well as the related market survey on hydrogen generation and demand.

Stakeholders had until 16 July 2021 to state their views. The TSOs held an online workshop on 1 July 2021 as an added means of dialogue with stakeholders.

Consultation document on the scenario framework for the gas network development plan 2022-2032 in German

FNB Gas then published the consultant results. The gas network operators revised the scenario framework to take account of the submitted opinions and then submitted it to the Bundesnetzagentur for confirmation. FNB Gas also compiled and published maps showing the injection and withdrawal of hydrogen in German reported in the market survey on hydrogen generation and demand.

Confirmation of the scenario framework

The Bundesnetzagentur confirmed on 20 January 2022 the scenario framework for the 2022-2032 network development plan scenario framework for the 2022-2032 network development plan presented by the TSOs on 16 August 2021.

Confirmation of the scenario framework for the 2022-2032 in German

In the next stage of the procedure, the TSOs will draw up the Gas NDP based on the assumptions set out in the confirmed scenario framework.

Legal Basis: Section 15a(1) sentence 7 EnWG

Partial new decision of the scenario framework confirmation

The Bundesnetzagentur partially revoked the confirmation of the scenario framework for the Gas NDP 2022-2032 and made a new decision on 11 November 2022. The decision adds three modelling variants (the LNGplus security of supply variants) to the scenario framework of 20 January 2022 that was submitted by the TSOs. As a result, the effects of the war in Ukraine can still be taken into account in the current NDP cycle and the infrastructure urgently needed for security of supply can be swiftly implemented.

Partial new decision of the scenario framework confirmation in German

Legal Basis: Section 49 Administrative Procedure Act VwVfG; Section 15a(1) sentence 7 in conjunction with section 15a(1) sentence 4 sentence 6 EnWG