The Bundesrat and Bundestag are currently discussing the amendment to the Energy Industry Act (EnWG) to transpose the European Gas and Hydrogen Single Market Package into national law. The amendment is a central basis for the transformation of the gas market towards a climate-neutral energy system. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Hydrogen and other renewable gases will play a central role in this climate-neutral energy system with a view to decarbonizing entire branches of industry and other sectors. However, without the establishment of the hydrogen core network and the further development of hydrogen infrastructures in the regions, the ramp-up of the hydrogen economy will not work and the decarbonization of many commercial and industrial companies without direct access to the core network will fall by the wayside. <\/p>\n\n
That is why the transmission and hydrogen transport network operators are expressly calling for a clear and committed political commitment to hydrogen. This must also be reflected in the regulations of the Energy Industry Act in order to give investors security and not create any sector-related or other restrictions on the use of hydrogen. <\/p>\n\n
Legislators must act now and set the course for the development of hydrogen networks at transport and distribution network level by creating financing conditions that promote investment and are suitable for the capital market. <\/p>\n\n
In addition, the network operators propose creating more flexibility in the implementation and further development of the hydrogen core network measures so that technical adjustments and market developments can be taken into account. <\/p>\n\n
The network operators see potential for the creation of synergies and cost-efficient implementation of the EU requirements in the design of the regulations on the unbundling rules to be implemented and the certification process for hydrogen transport network operators as well as for the requirements for future network development planning. <\/p>\n\n
We also suggest that the legislator use the amendment to the EnWG to follow up on the Bundestag’s resolution of January 28, 2026 on the KRITIS umbrella law and to reconsider the existing reporting obligations and transparency requirements for the publication of security-relevant information on critical infrastructure, for example in the context of network development planning or when setting up new transparency platforms, in light of the new security situation, and not to expand them further. <\/p>\n\n
Our statement is available in the downloads.<\/p>\n\n