Reservations for hydrogen network begin

09.03.2026

Source: E & M powernews

The development of the German hydrogen core network is entering a new phase. From March, companies will be able to reserve transport capacities and plan projects better for the first time.

The ramp-up of the hydrogen economy in Germany continues to take shape. The operators of the planned hydrogen core network will launch a coordinated process for reserving initial transport capacities on March 19, 2026. The basis for this is a newly published market information package, which is intended to give companies an overview of available pipelines and capacities.

Numerous transmission system operators and regional grid companies are participating in the project. These include Open Grid Europe, Gascade, Nowega, Ontras and Netze BW. Together, they are developing the infrastructure for transporting large quantities of hydrogen.

The process will enable companies to secure binding transportation options in the future grid for the first time. According to the operators, this applies to both feed-in and feed-out capacities along planned hydrogen pipelines. The aim is to facilitate investment decisions along the entire hydrogen value chain and to further accelerate the planning of projects.

The information package describes the structure of the network in so-called clusters and the transportation capacities available there. Companies can use this as a basis for mapping their planned supply relationships and reserving corresponding capacities. According to the core network operators, this should help to make hydrogen projects economically viable.

Barbara Fischer, Managing Director of the industry association FNB Gas, sees this step as an important building block for the market ramp-up. "The reservation options simplify access to the hydrogen core network and give companies security for their project developments," she explained, according to the joint statement from the operators.

Reservation via standardized contracts

Capacity is reserved on the basis of a standardized model contract agreed by the industry. Companies can submit their requests using a standardized form. The respective network operators will make this available on their websites from March 19.

Reservations will initially be based on the grid and capacity structures for the years 2026 to 2030 published in the market information package. The operators will announce further information for later periods. According to the press release, they intend to take into account the plans of the Gas and Hydrogen Network Development Plan.

The current publication is the second market information package from the hydrogen core network operators. They had already published a first package in mid-October last year, which contained basic information on the planned network and the future marketing process (we reported). The first publication focused on network structures and initial information on the marketing of transport capacities. The operators also explained the planned cluster structure of the grid and outlined how feed-in and exit points can be connected.

With the second package that has now been presented, the operators have substantiated this information. For the first time, companies will receive detailed information on capacities and time periods on the basis of which they can reserve transport capacities

The current market information package can be accessed via the Gascade Gastransport GmbH website.

Author: Davina Spohn