Gößmann pushes for political decisions in the development of a hydrogen network

• Anchor hydrogen backbone in law in the short term
• Implement dena model for capping hydrogen network fees as quickly as possible
• FNB Gas board members re-elected at general meeting

The Association of Transmission System Operators Gas e.V. (FNB Gas e.V.) confirmed Dr. Thomas Gößmann (Managing Director of Thyssengas GmbH) as Chairman of the Board at its General Meeting.

On the occasion of his re-election, Gößmann emphasizes the importance of a rapid expansion of the hydrogen network infrastructure:

“If Germany wants to have a chance of achieving its climate targets, we need hydrogen as a sustainable energy carrier. The accelerated development of a supra-regional hydrogen infrastructure is a prerequisite for ensuring that Germany does not lose the race for the hydrogen economy and can hold its own as a strong business location.

We network operators have been waiting for the go-ahead for months. In order to advance the transformation of the energy system, we have calculated hydrogen networks based on specific hydrogen requirements and scenarios for various target years. Every day we have to wait with implementation sets Germany back in the competition. As soon as possible, we need to connect the main consumption hubs with domestic generation sites and import points through an H2 backbone. The necessary legal certainty could be created by anchoring it in law, e.g. through a Federal Hydrogen Requirements Plan Act or by analogy with the LNG Act. We have all provided the foundations for this, so it should be possible to pass such a law by spring 2023.

In addition, there is a lack of a regulatory framework that both makes hydrogen grid fees affordable and stimulates the necessary private sector investment by grid users and operators. Proposals that can be implemented quickly, such as the dena model, are already on the table.

The government must now take its foot off the brake when it comes to developing the hydrogen infrastructure. The transmission system operators are ready!”

At a time when important energy policy decisions are being made, the FNB is relying on personnel continuity at FNB Gas. In addition to Dr. Thomas Gößmann, Ralph Bahke, Managing Director of ONTRAS Gastransport GmbH, was re-elected as Deputy Chairman, Dr. Matthias Jenn, Managing Director of bayernets GmbH, as Treasurer, and Frank Heunemann, Managing Director of Nowega GmbH, as a member of the Board.