Two Years of the Hydrogen Core Network: The Plan Is Taking Shape

On the second anniversary of the approval of the nationwide hydrogen core network, German transmission system operators are reporting positive interim results. The first industrial customers have been connected, 537 kilometers of hydrogen pipelines are in operation—and another 900 km will be added by the end of 2027.

Berlin, October 22, 2026. Exactly two years ago, on October 22, 2024, the Federal Network Agency approved the construction of Germany’s core hydrogen network. With a pipeline length of approximately 9,040 kilometers, it is the largest hydrogen network project in Europe. What was then just a plan on paper is now taking shape: The network is growing, and since the summer of 2026, hydrogen has been flowing through the pipelines for the first time—along the Baltic Sea, from the Emsland region to the Ruhr area, and in the East German Chemical Triangle.

““The hydrogen core network proves that Germany can successfully tackle major transformation projects. Every kilometer of hydrogen pipeline, every electrolyzer, and every industrial company that switches to hydrogen strengthens regional value creation and Germany’s position as a business location,” explains Dr. Matthias Jenn, CEO of FNBGas. “If the ramp-up is successful, key industries will be decarbonized within a few years, and Germany will become less dependent on the individual countries from which we import energy.”

From Approval to Reality: First Customers Are Using the Network

Last year alone, more than 500 kilometers of pipelines were brought online, 507 kilometers of which resulted from the conversion of existing natural gas pipelines. The longest section is a 400-kilometer route stretching from Lubmin on the Baltic Sea through Brandenburg to Bobbau in Saxony-Anhalt, which GASCADE filled with hydrogen in December 2025. Another 900 kilometers will be added this year and next.

The breakthrough in the second year: electrolysis, transport, and off-take are functioning in actual operation for the first time. In Lingen, an RWE electrolysis plant produces renewable hydrogen, which is transported via pipelines operated by Nowega, OGE, and the Evonik subsidiary SYNEQT to the chemical park in Marl. At the same time, ONTRAS can transport approximately 2,700 metric tons of green hydrogen annually from the Bad Lauchstädt Energy Park to the TotalEnergies refinery in Leuna. The next milestone: Germany’s first commercial hydrogen cavern storage facility is scheduled to go into operation in Epe in 2027. To closely integrate the core network with the European hydrogen backbone, Gasunie has already installed more than 170 km of H2 pipelines through conversion measures as part of the Hyperlink project.

Demand is growing

As of March 19, 2026, market participants can reserve firm entry and exit capacities for the first time. Demand has exceeded expectations: By the most recent deadline, nearly 6 GW of capacity had been reserved on a paid basis—twice as much as in May 2026.

“The grid operators have delivered: The first pipelines are in place, and industry is reserving transport capacity. But every additional pipeline also needs customers, and every new customer needs sufficient hydrogen. Only if supply and demand continue to grow will the entire core network be a success. To achieve this, we need reliable financing terms that enable final investment decisions along the entire value chain. This includes the continuation and expansion of climate protection agreements, as well as financial safeguards for import corridors and financing terms for the core network that adequately reflect the ramp-up risks faced by grid operators,” emphasizes Barbara Fischer, Managing Director of FNB Gas.

Regulatory Framework

Over the past two years, the Federal Network Agency has laid the groundwork for the use of the core network. The grid tariff system was established with WANDA and KOSMO (June 2024 and December 2025), and the future grid access and balancing model was defined with WaKandA and WasABi (both October 2025). Full implementation of WaKandA and WasABi is scheduled for January 1, 2028. The cooperation agreement for hydrogen is currently being drafted by the relevant associations.

Outlook

Just as with electricity and natural gas grid planning, the plans for developing hydrogen infrastructure in Germany are continuously updated and adapted to current market conditions and demand scenarios.

The second draft of the first integrated network development plan for gas and hydrogen (NEP 2025) calls for a hydrogen transmission network of 9,241 km by 2037. This includes 291 km of new projects that extend beyond the core network. With a total investment of 24 billion euros, the plan aims to connect production sites, ports, storage facilities, and industrial centers in all federal states by 2037.