Network operators set up coordination office for integrated network development planning for gas and hydrogen

Scenario framework for the first integrated gas and hydrogen network development plan to be submitted to the Federal Network Agency on June 30, 2024

The newly established Coordination Office for Integrated Gas and Hydrogen Network Development Planning (KO.NEP) officially starts work today. The amendment to the Energy Industry Act, which came into force on May 16, 2024, stipulates the creation of such an office by May 31, 2024.

The task of the KO.NEP is to coordinate the future preparation of the scenario frameworks and network development plans for gas and hydrogen by the obligated network operators and to submit them to the BNetzA every two years. It acts as a central point of contact for authorities and market participants on issues relating to network development planning in the gas and hydrogen sector and is also responsible for creating and operating the legally required databases for the gas and hydrogen network.

Transmission system operators and regulated operators of hydrogen transportation networks are obliged to set up and operate the KO.NEP in an equal and non-discriminatory manner. In order to meet this joint responsibility, the network operators have commissioned the FNB Gas as a service provider to fulfill the statutory tasks of the KO.NEP.

“As FNB Gas, we have already gained valuable experience in coordinating gas network development planning over the past ten years. We have been supporting the development of the hydrogen core network with great commitment for over a year. We will contribute this knowledge of the processes and also the content of network planning in both areas to the new coordination office. We have put together a competent team to carry out the tasks of the coordination office,” explains FNB Gas Managing Director Barbara Fischer.

The KO.NEP also offers a central platform for the development of coordinated planning processes with the gas distribution grids and the electricity transmission system operators. “In this way, we are implementing the stronger cooperation and coordination between the various grid levels and energy sources that the legislator wants,” Fischer continued.

For more information, visit the KO.NEP website or contact us directly: https://ko-nep.de/