Bun­desnet­za­gen­tur ap­proves hy­dro­gen core net­work

Year of issue 2024
Date of issue 2024.10.22

The Bundesnetzagentur has approved the hydrogen core network proposed by the gas transmission system operators. The network is made up of a total of 9,040 kilometres of pipelines that are due to go into operation step by step up to 2032. About 60% of these pipelines are natural gas pipelines that will be converted to hydrogen, while 40% will be newly built. The total investment costs are expected to be €18.9bn.

"The approval for the hydrogen core network gives the network operators the go-ahead to gradually set up and operate the infrastructure for hydrogen. The first pipelines will be converted starting next year. Our thanks go to everyone involved for their hard work over the last one and a half years or more in putting processes and planning in place and playing a constructive part in discussions, which were not always easy,", said Klaus Müller, President of the Bundesnetzagentur.

The hydrogen core network is the first step in the process of establishing a nationwide hydrogen infrastructure in Germany. The hydrogen core network will connect future hydrogen clusters across the country with each other. These are clusters of regional and local hydrogen projects, for example in industrial or business parks. The hydrogen core network also takes account of connections with Germany's neighbouring countries. The Bundesnetzagentur gave the application its approval following minor changes, for instance only those pipelines were approved that will be necessary for transport tasks in the hydrogen core network.

Path to the hydrogen core network

The gas transmission system operators conducted market surveys on the production of and demand for hydrogen as part of their processes for the two most recent gas network development plans (2020 and 2022). They also identified pipelines that could be converted from natural gas to hydrogen. The operators then developed their own, non-binding hydrogen model in the gas network development plan, which also included the first hydrogen clusters in Germany.

The development and operation of the network required more binding commitments on the part of producers and consumers as well as the construction of pipelines. This prompted the Federal Government to decide in spring 2023 on the establishment of a hydrogen core network that would connect the key hydrogen production, import and consumption locations across Germany with each other.

In July 2023, while the legislative procedure to establish the legal base was in progress, the gas transmission system operators published their latest plans. These plans were consulted on jointly by the operators and the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action. At the same time, the criteria for defining the scenario for the hydrogen core network were published. In addition, operators of gas distribution systems were able to submit their proposals for possible pipeline structures.
In November 2023 the transmission system operators submitted their draft application for the hydrogen core network to the Bundesnetzagentur, which examined and consulted on the draft. The operators revised their draft on the basis of the consultation and the preliminary examination. Some pipelines were added and some removed in a few regions. The operators then submitted their application to the Bundesnetzagentur in time on 22 July 2024.

Further information is available on the Bundesnetzagentur's website at: www.bundesnetzagentur.de/wasserstoff-kernnetz.

Integrated network development planning for gas and hydrogen

The infrastructure will be developed further as part of the regular gas and hydrogen network development planning processes. The joint consultation on the gas/hydrogen and electricity scenario frameworks made it possible to look at potential developments side by side. The gas transmission system operators and future hydrogen transmission network operators will continue to adapt their plans for the hydrogen network in line with future challenges when the Bundesnetzagentur has confirmed the gas/hydrogen scenario framework.