Natural gas is used in almost all areas of everyday life – from heating and mobility to power generation and uses in the chemical industry. While gas consumption today is still largely based on the use of natural gas, the importance of hydrogen and renewable gases will increase in the future.
With a length of approx. 40,000 km, the German transmission networks form the backbone of the gas transport system in Germany. The downstream gas distribution networks fed by the transmission system have a total length of more than 470,000 km. The gas networks ensure both the supply of German consumers and transit to neighbouring countries.
A large number of players are active on the gas market and ensure competition. In total, 16 transmission system operators (TSOs), more than 700 distribution system operators and 25 Storage operators and numerous Traders are active on the gas market. The cooperation of these players ensures the smooth supply of natural gas in Germany. Since 1 October 2021, there is only one market area: Trading Hub Europe (THE).
As a “natural monopoly”, transmission system operators are subject to regulation by an independent authority, the Federal Network Agency (BNetzA). The latter monitors the implementation of the legal regulations and can also make binding stipulations itself.
Most of the natural gas consumed in Germany is imported from Norway and the Netherlands. After being fed into the German gas grid and transported through the gas grid operators’ 530,000 kilometers of pipelines, the natural gas finally reaches consumers in the various sectors.
From town gas to natural gas, from the liberalisation of the gas market to the energy transition: The gas sector has been and continues to be shaped by system-relevant changes. The basis for this is the further development of the energy policy target triangle, according to which the energy supply must be secure, economical, climate, and environment-friendly. The transmission system operators are working on this day and night – not least with their commitment to the development and construction of a hydrogen transport network.
