Grid operators demand rules for hydrogen grids

02.12.2025

Source: E & M powernews

H2 vor Ort has presented the new gas grid area transformation plan, which describes the conversion of the German distribution grids to hydrogen. 248 operators have participated.

The industry association "H2vorOrt" presented its latest Gas Grid Transformation Plan (GTP) on December 1. For the past four years, the plan has been regarded as a key instrument for the strategic development of municipal and regional gas distribution networks towards climate neutrality through renewable gases. H2 vor Ort is an association of German gas distribution network operators, in whose survey 248 companies participated. The association emphasizes that this means that almost the entire industry is represented in the report.

The planning processes were further developed in 2025. Together with the transmission system operators, the distribution system operators have structured Germany into around 40 planning regions for the first time. According to the association, this regional structure should make it possible to better coordinate technological requirements, the needs of industry and commerce and the grid topology. This will create a basis for conversion paths that will provide orientation in the coming years.

First hydrogen grids in operation in 2035

A key result concerns the future use of the infrastructure. According to the industry, a majority of network operators are planning to fully design the first pipeline sections for hydrogen by 2035, provided sufficient quantities are available. At the same time, a large proportion of companies expect that current networks will only be partially continued.

According to H2, around ten percent of operators expect complete decommissioning and around 60 percent partial decommissioning. On average, this would affect around a quarter of the respective grids. The remaining grids would transport around half of today's energy volumes in future - albeit on the basis of climate-neutral gases.

According to the association, the municipal level also confirms this course. In a survey of around 2,000 cities and municipalities, 94% rate hydrogen and climate-neutral methane as a fixed or potential component of the energy supply for industry and commerce. For households and public institutions, 77% continue to see a role for climate-neutral gases in the heating transition. According to H2 vor Ort, this shows that the demand for alternative gases exists and must be taken into account in regional planning.

The industry also points to regulatory developments. The EU Internal Gas Market Directive, which is currently being transposed into German law as part of an amendment to the Energy Industry Act, requires new requirements for planning and operation. According to H2 vor Ort, the grid operators have adapted their approach at an early stage. As a result, it will be possible to submit the first regional transformation plans to the Federal Network Agency as early as 2026. These plans are intended to mark the start of practical implementation.

Politicians must provide a legal framework now

However, the association sees a need for political action. In its view, regulatory decisions must be made promptly so that the transformation can take place in an economical and customer-oriented manner. H2 vor Ort describes questions regarding financing mechanisms in particular as still open.

Florian Feller, Chairman of H2 vor Ort, described the current report in a webinar as a further step in the strategic development of the grids. He emphasized that the industry has been publicly presenting how it intends to gradually adapt its infrastructure to a climate-neutral supply since 2022. In his view, the early orientation towards the European legal framework will make it possible to present concrete plans as early as next year. Feller is calling on politicians to support the process and make any outstanding decisions quickly.

The German Technical and Scientific Association for Gas and Water (DVGW) also emphasized the importance of the time factor. Chairman Gerald Linke referred to the association's research results, which show that it is possible to convert gas networks to hydrogen. However, experience from the previous conversion from L-gas to H-gas made it clear that a lot of time is needed.

Linke considers a decade to be realistic to implement a Germany-wide transformation. A start in the early 2030s is therefore necessary in order to achieve the climate protection targets by 2045. In his view, legislators should take this into account when setting deadlines.

The 2025 results report on the gas grid transformation plan is available online.

Author: Susanne Harmsen