“Go” for nationwide hydrogen core grid (Kernnetz)

Construction of the approximately 9,000 kilometre hydrogen core grid in Germany begins

Kassel. The approval of the joint application handed in by the transmission system operators by the Federal Network Agency (BNetzA) marks the start of the construction of the hydrogen core network in Germany, which covers around 9,000 kilometres. Christoph von dem Bussche, Managing Director of GASCADE Gastransport GmbH, expressed his delight: ‘We are pleased that there is now investment security and that we can finally get started properly and make our contribution to the hydrogen ramp-up in Germany.’

The hydrogen core network, around 60 percent of which will be created by converting existing gas pipelines and 40 percent by building new pipelines, will be realised by 2032. The investment volume amounts to around 19 billion euros. Part of the core network is the Flow – making hydrogen happen programme: The transmission system operators GASCADE, ONTRAS and terranets bw are planning with partners to create the first large-volume transport capacities from the Baltic Sea coast to Saxony-Anhalt from 2025. Expansion to the Baltic Sea region as well as to western and southern Germany will follow in the years thereafter.

ONTRAS Gastransport GmbH will now begin building high-performance hydrogen transport pipelines in eastern and central Germany. ‘We will use our strategically viable pipeline projects to transport climate-neutral hydrogen to eastern and central Germany. In doing so, we are making a substantial contribution to the decarbonisation of industry and the market ramp-up of a hydrogen economy,’ explained Ralph Bahke, ONTRAS Managing Director of Steering and Development.

The core network will also connect central consumption centres in Baden-Württemberg. ‘The hydrogen core network, which we have planned together with the other transmission system operators, will connect generation centres and import corridors with the major consumption regions,’ explained Katrin Flinspach, Managing Director of terranets bw. The Süddeutsche Erdgasleitung (SEL) will transport hydrogen to the region from the beginning of the 2030s, thus creating the conditions for a_CO2-neutral energy supply for the business location. Flinspach emphasised: ‘The core network is just the beginning.’

GASCADE is also pressing ahead with plans for the AquaDuctus offshore pipeline in order to exploit the potential of hydrogen production on the high seas and to network with transport pipelines in neighbouring North Sea countries. Further infrastructure measures will open up additional German regions for hydrogen and thus significantly support the development of the hydrogen economy.