Key milestone for the hydrogen ramp-up: Transmission system operators submit official application for core network

– First hydrogen pipelines to be commissioned as early as next year

– Length: 9,666 km, of which around 60% are lines to be converted

– Investment costs: 19.7 billion euros

– Feed-in volume: 278 TWhth

After intensive planning, the transmission system operators have submitted their joint application for the hydrogen core network to the Federal Network Agency. They are thus presenting a Germany-wide, expandable, efficient and quickly realizable hydrogen network for approval. The core grid will gradually connect central consumption and generation hubs as well as storage and import centres by 2032.

“The core network solves the chicken-and-egg problem by initially developing the infrastructure on the basis of a scenario worked out together with politicians. It lays the foundation for the ramp-up of the hydrogen economy. The TSOs are thus making an advance payment: the core network is the offer to the market, it comes for the market and continues to develop with it,” explains Barbara Fischer, FNB Gas Managing Director.

“The TSOs are united behind the concept of the core network. Together, we are applying for the complete core network and will build and operate it step by step. The core network is intended to optimally promote and support the ramp-up of the hydrogen economy in Germany and Europe“, affirms Dr. Thomas Gößmann, Chairman of the FNB Gas Executive Board.

“The core network is the starting point for the development of a Germany-wide transport infrastructure. The next step is to further develop the infrastructure in order to bring hydrogen to a wider area. The TSOs and future hydrogen transport network operators are already working on this in close coordination with the distribution network operators as part of the integrated gas and hydrogen network development planning“, emphasizes Fischer.

Following the submission of the final application on 22.07.2024, the Federal Network Agency, in accordance with Section 28q para. 8 EnWG for two months for review and approval. This includes a consultation of the core network submitted by the TSOs, which will take place by 06.08.2024. Once the application has been approved by the BNetzA, construction of the core network begins. The first lines are to be converted to hydrogen as early as next year.

“With the core network, we are creating a central prerequisite for the successful hydrogen ramp-up in Germany and thus for the decarbonization of industry and energy supply. It gives market participants the security they need to invest in the hydrogen economy and the transformation to climate neutrality. The hydrogen ramp-up is now a joint task for all market participants ,” says Gößmann.