Program
Hydrogen is an important prospect for the whole of Europe. With Flow - making hydrogen happen we are creating a high-performance pipeline system for green hydrogen from 2025.
We are linking international hydrogen markets and thus opening up supply opportunities for large quantities of hydrogen to industry. The first pipeline sections are to be converted as early as 2025. This will enable CO2 emissions to be reduced faster than before. With Flow - making hydrogen happen we are providing an important building block for the European hydrogen ramp-up and the energy transition.
Program
Planned
Pipeline Route
Program
Flow – making hydrogen happen in 9 points
01
Collaborative mission
We decarbonize industry. With hydrogen as a central part of the energy transition.
02
Our contribution
Realization of a high-performance north-south transport route for climate-neutral hydrogen by 2029.
03
1630 km pipeline
Rostock – Lubmin - Schwedt - Berlin - Leipzig - Leuna - Erfurt - Ludwigshafen - Karlsruhe - Stuttgart
04
Rapid implementation
Conversion of existing natural gas pipelines to hydrogen from 2025.
05
Large transport capacity
Generation in Lubmin, in the greater Rostock area and along the pipeline. Imports via Rostock Port and Baltic Hyrogen Collector, feed-in capacity up to 20 GW.
06
High security of supply
Resilience through possible connection to cavern storage facilities in Brandenburg, Saxony-Anhalt and Hesse and diversification of transport routes.
07
Powerful network
Connection to the IPCEI projects doing hydrogen and Green Octopus Mitteldeutschland as well as to the projects Hydrogen for Baden-Württemberg, HyPipe Bavaria and MosaHYc.
08
Phased expansion
Commissioning of first sections in 2025, expansion to Baden-Württemberg from 2029.
09
Perspective
Extensions to Bavaria, Austria, Switzerland, France, the Czech Republic, Poland, Denmark and to the northwest possible.
Program
We use existing infrastructure to rapidly open up important areas in Europe for hydrogen ramp-up.
Flow - making hydrogen happen connects planned offshore pipelines of Baltic Sea countries with the Czech Republic. Further conversions to the southwest will also enable France and Austria to get connected. German areas such as the chemical triangle Halle/Leipzig and the Rhine-Main-Neckar region will also benefit.
Potential consumers of green hydrogen will benefit massively from a secure supply of large quantities of the climate-neutral and highly flexible energy carrier and raw material.
The connection to international import routes, hydrogen storage facilities, other large-scale hydrogen transport projects and the European Hydrogen Backbone create additional supply security.
We make hydrogen happen.
Milestones
PCI Status | November 2023
The European Commission is listing the eastern part of Flow – making hydrogen happen as a Project of Common Interest (PCI).
Hydrogen Core Grid | October 2024
The Federal Network Agency confirms the hydrogen core grid draft of the hydrogen grid operators. The Flow – making hydrogen happen program is part of the core network.
Investment Decision | October 2024
GASCADE takes the investment decision to implement the northern section of Flow (East).
Scheduled Commissioning | December 2025
GASCADE plans to commission the northern section of Flow (East).
Feasibility Study | October 2024 – January 2026
GASCADE is conducting a feasibility study on the German-Polish connection between Flow (East) and the Polish hydrogen backbone.
Planned Investment Decision | December 2027
GASCADE is planning the investment decision to implement the southern section of Flow (East).
Scheduled Commissioning | October 2030
GASCADE plans to commission the southern section of Flow (East).
News
8. April 2025‘Green hydrogen from Lubmin is an essential building block for the energy transition’
Interview with Steven Ulbricht, Head of Project Development at H2APEX
12. March 2025Hydrogen, here we come!
Construction of the approximately 9,000 kilometre hydrogen core grid in Germany begins.
22. October 2024“Go” for nationwide hydrogen core grid (Kernnetz)
Construction of the approximately 9,000 kilometre hydrogen core grid in Germany begins.
12. February 2024“For us, the energy transition is not a dream of the future. It’s daily business”
Interview with Jonas Höckner, Business Development Manager Hydrogen at EWE
13. December 2023Invitation to tender for hydrogen filling
European relevance of the hydrogen pipeline project confirmed. Opportunity for access to funding instruments created
28. November 2023PCI status for Flow – making hydrogen happen
European relevance of the hydrogen pipeline project confirmed. Opportunity for access to funding instruments created
13. November 2023“For the energy transition to succeed, conurbations and major cities like Berlin need a heating transition above all”
Interview with Marko Voß, Head of system development Berlin at Vattenfall
13. November 2023“100% hydrogen connections for industrial customers and CHP plants: We are taking on a pioneering role at distribution grid level”
Interview with Dr.-Ing. Julian Mosbach, Division management Grid Gas/Water at Hanau Netz
Partners
Program partners
GASCADE Gastransport GmbH
GASCADE Gastransport GmbH operates a gas pipeline network throughout Germany. The Kassel-based transmission system operator offers its customers modern and competitive transport services for natural gas and, in future, other gases in the heart of Europe via its own high-pressure pipeline network, which is around 3,700 kilometers long. GASCADE is pursuing the goal of successively converting its pipeline network to the transport of hydrogen and is therefore active in several onshore and offshore hydrogen projects.www.gascade.de
ONTRAS Gastransport GmbH
ONTRAS operates the 7,700-kilometre long pipeline network in eastern Germany and is responsible for the reliable and efficient transport of gaseous energy - today and in the future. We are actively shaping the development of a German hydrogen network, integrated into the European hydrogen infrastructure. With the ONTRAS start network for hydrogen and the two pipeline projects doing hydrogen and Greens Octopus Mitteldeutschland, ONTRAS is laying the foundation for the eastern German hydrogen infrastructure.www.ontras.com
terranets bw
Our networks connect. With energy, with data and with the future.
In our role as transmission system operator, we give top priority to security of supply – today and in the future. Our gas grid, which covers 3,000 kilometres, ensures a secure supply of heat and electricity from Lower Saxony to Lake Constance. Our sights are set on a climate-neutral future, which is why we are now already developing a high-performance hydrogen network. As an infrastructure provider, we not only offer our customers services related to gas technology systems, but also provide them with a powerful fibre-optic grid.
www.terranets-bw.de
Associated partners
H2APEX
H2APEX is a pioneer in green hydrogen listed in the Prime Standard of the Frankfurt Stock Exchange, focusing on clean hydrogen production, storage and distribution. H2APEX's goal is to become an internationally established developer and operator of hydrogen facilities. In its core business, H2APEX develops, builds and sells or operates green hydrogen plants with an electrolysis capacity of less than 1 GW. These are used to decarbonise industrial value chains and to produce green hydrogen and hydrogen derivatives such as LOHC (liquid organic hydrogen carriers) and e-fuels. They are used, for example, in the steel, chemical and cement industries, as well as in other energy-intensive industries. In addition, the company offers plants for infrastructure and logistics, in particular for industrial use in warehouses, ports and production facilities.
bayernets
bayernets GmbH is the transmission system operator in Bavaria. As part of the European gas transmission system, we transport gas through Southern Germany efficiently, safely and in an environmentally friendly way. Sustainability is at the core of everything we do.
We make a central contribution to the security of supply in our network area. By operating our pipelines safely, optimising our grid in line with demand and developing our network sustainably, we ensure a high-performance transmission network.
We are shaping the energy transition and already setting the course for transporting hydrogen as an important building block in the energy system of the future.
BayWa r.e.
We are a leading global developer, service supplier, distributor and solutions provider and have brought over 5.5 GW of energy online and manage over 10 GW of assets. We are also an Independent Power Producer with an expanding energy trading business.
BayWa r.e. works with businesses worldwide to provide tailored renewable solutions, including green hydrogen production.
CEMEX Zement GmbH
The building materials company CEMEX operates on a global scale with its cement, ready-mixed concrete, mineral resources and urbanisation divisions. Through its sustainable products and solutions, the company aims to contribute to a better future. This means CEMEX focuses on the circular economy along the entire construction value chain and is a pioneer when it comes to promoting the use of new technologies. CEMEX has set itself the goal of reducing CO2 emissions by 55% across Europe by 2030. The company has also committed to delivering carbon neutral concrete globally by 2050.
www.cemex.com
Creos Deutschland GmbH
The building materials company Creos Deutschland GmbH ensures a secure, affordable, consumer-friendly, efficient and environmentally friendly grid-based supply of electricity and gas in the Saarland and Rhineland-Palatinate regions for more than 2 million people in 340 cities and municipalities via a 1,650 km long gas and 450 km long high and medium voltage grid. Its direct customers include around 40 downstream municipal utilities and 20 industrial companies.
Deutsche ReGas
EAM
As a network operator, EAM Netz GmbH ensures the safe and reliable transport of electricity and gas in large parts of Hesse as well as in southern Lower Saxony and parts of North Rhine-Westphalia, Thuringia and Rhineland-Palatinate. The electricity and natural gas network of EAM Netz extends over a length of around 50,000 kilometres.
In the course of the planned development of national hydrogen transport networks, energy-intensive companies and operators of H2 electrolysis plants in northern and central Hesse can connect to the H2 transport networks. These regional hydrogen lines can then be implemented within the distribution network of EAM Netz.
EnBW
With over 26,000 employees, EnBW is one of the largest energy companies in Germany and Europe. It supplies around 5.5 million customers with electricity, gas, water as well as services and products in the areas of infrastructure and energy. The expansion of renewable energies is a cornerstone of the growth strategy and a focus of investment. EnBW will invest around 4 billion euros in the further expansion of wind and solar energy by 2025. By the end of 2025, more than half of the generation portfolio is set to consist of renewable energies. This is already having a noticeable effect on reducing CO₂ emissions, which EnBW aims to halve by 2030. EnBW is aiming for climate neutrality by 2035.
ENERTRAG
ENERTRAG is one of the largest renewable-energy companies in Germany, and the largest in Brandenburg. We develop, build, own and operate integrated energy plants that produce reliable electricity, green hydrogen and heat from wind and solar power. ENERTRAG has more than two decades of experience in successful and efficient renewables-projects development and implementation. We realized projects with a total capacity of 2 GW and raised more than €2 billion of debt and equity. We produce close to 2 TWh of electricity per year from our own assets, and manage over 1,000 wind turbines from our own fleet and for clients. Our close to 1,000 employees combine all the competencies required for successful operation and efficient maintenance, for local-community-oriented planning and reliable construction of energy plants and grids up to complete interconnected power plants. We are always one energy ahead – be it in grid solutions, storage solutions or in sector coupling with power-to-heat or green-hydrogen plants.
www.enertrag.com/
Eternal Power
Eternal Power builds a global integrated mass producer of green hydrogen and its derivatives by developing, financing, building and operating production facilities. Its aim is to solve the main challenge of the green hydrogen sector: the large-scale production of fully sustainable hydrogen at a competitive price to serve a massively growing demand for the future. To tackle this, Eternal Power covers the whole value chain and already works on realising multiple projects globally including sites in Germany, Sweden, Chile, United Arab Emirates and many more.
www.eternal-power.de/
EVA Alzenau
Since 1998, Energieversorgung Alzenau GmbH, located in Alzenau has supplied the city of Alzenau and the surrounding neighborhoods of Albstadt, Kälberau, Michelbach, Wasserlos and Hörstein with electricity and gas.
The shareholders include the city of Alzenau and Bayernwerk AG.
EWE
EWE is an innovative service provider active in the business areas of energy, telecommunications and information technology. With over 10,800 employees and sales of EUR 10 billion in 2023, EWE is one of the largest utility companies in Germany. The company, based in Oldenburg, Lower Saxony, is primarily owned by the local government. In northwest Germany, Brandenburg and on the island of Rügen it provides electricity to around 1.4 million customers, as well as parts of Poland, and supplies natural gas to 0.7 million customers. It also provides 0.7 million customers with telecommunications services. EWE plays a pioneering role in the areas of climate protection and digital participation. In the coming years, the Group will invest in the expansion of the electricity grids, in the expansion of the fibre-optic infrastructure, the erection of new wind turbines and is a leader in the development of hydrogen infrastructure. More information on EWE can be found at
Ferngas
Ferngas Netzgesellschaft mbH is the sole combined grid operator in Germany and operates a transmission and distribution system. We see ourselves as an innovative and reliable service provider in the field of energy supply. Our high-pressure gas pipeline grids have a total length of more than 3,100 km and are located in (northern) Bavaria and Thuringia as well as the neighbouring federal states. We also provide technical services and advise our customers on all questions relating to natural gas and hydrogen. We transport the energy transition. To achieve climate neutrality by 2045, Germany must also significantly increase the speed of converting its gas infrastructure and ramping up the hydrogen market. As transmission and distribution system operator, we are ready to implement the rapid transformation. By transporting and distributing hydrogen and other green gases, we enable the decarbonization of the industry, mobility and heat segments in Bavaria, Thuringia, and Saxony.
HDF Energy
HDF Energy is a leading global player in the hydrogen industry, dedicated to developing large-scale hydrogen infrastructure and advanced multi-megawatt fuel cell technology. Its primary focus lies in decarbonizing the power, heavy mobility and industrial sectors with cutting-edge H2 solutions.
HDF Energy develops large scale hydrogen power plants called Hypower (gas to power) and Renewstable (power to power). In 2024, the Group will start mass production of multi-MW fuel cells near Bordeaux.
Hanau Netz GmbH
Hanau Netz GmbH is a subsidiary of Stadtwerke Hanau GmbH. Through Hanau Netz GmbH, Stadtwerke Hanau GmbH guarantees all suppliers secure and non-discriminatory market access to its electricity and gas networks. The energy and drinking water networks in Hanau and the gas supply network in Großkrotzenburg are operated by Hanau Netz GmbH. Thanks to the many years of experience of the two parent companies in the construction and operation of supply networks for electricity, gas, heat and drinking water, Hanau Netz GmbH has an infrastructure that is characterized by high technical quality, security of supply and economically efficient network operation.
HH2E AG
HH2E AG develops after-use concepts "HH2E-Werke" for former fossil power plant sites. Through the interaction of innovative future technologies for the generation and storage of green heat, green hydrogen and green peak electricity, renewable energies are integrated into the sectors that have so far emitted particularly high levels of CO2, namely heat and mobility.www.hh2e.de
Hy2gen
Hy2gen AG, based in Wiesbaden, Germany, develops, finances, builds and operates plants worldwide for the production of green hydrogen, green ammonia and hydrogen-based e-fuels. Hy2gen uses these products to realise climate-neutral and competitive fuels and energy sources. The first plants are to be built in France, Norway, Canada and Germany. Hy2gen's goal is to become the market leader in the production of green hydrogen and its derivatives for mobility, agriculture and industry. Founded in 2017, the company's first-mover advantage is underlined by a current project pipeline in planning and construction of 880 MW and a project pipeline of over 12 GW of electrolysis capacity in development. In the first financing rounds, Trafigura and other private investor:s have already invested in Hy2gen. At the beginning of 2022, Hy2gen raised a further €200 million in investor funds for additional projects with the entry of Hy24, mirova, CDPQ and Technip Energies. This is a transaction with the highest amount ever paid in this segment.
Infraserv
Infraserv Höchst operates Industriepark Höchst, one of the largest research and production sites for the chemical and pharmaceutical industry in Europe. The company's service areas include the supply of energy and media as well as the operation of networks.
Infraserv Höchst has many years of experience in handling hydrogen. The Infraserv experts clean, store, compress and distribute hydrogen at different pressure levels to companies on site and to external customers. Since the end of 2022, Infraserv Höchst has been supplying what is currently the world's largest hydrogen train fleet for local public transport via the H2 train filling station in Industriepark Höchst.
IWEN Energy Institute gGmbH
As an affiliated institute of the University of Rostock, IWEN stands for research, development and technology transfer in the field of renewable energies. We are a competent partner for companies, municipalities and research institutions. With our portfolio, we consistently are driving forward the energy transition.
Jass-Gruppe
The Jass Group is a leading European company operating in the paper recycling economy. We employ around 800 workers in Fulda, Rudolstadt/Schwarza and Erfurt in Germany, as well as Gostyn and Dabrowa Górnicza in Poland.
Lhyfe
Founded in 2017 in Nantes, Lhyfe produces and supplies green hydrogen for mobility and industry. The company's production sites enable the regional and local establishment of hydrogen ecosystems and the tailored production of green hydrogen in industrial quantities. The company is a member of France Hydrogène and Hydrogen Europe. Lhyfe inaugurated its first industrial green hydrogen production facility in September 2021. The company is currently involved in 112 projects across Europe, 35 of which are in the advanced development phase by 2026 and will contribute to the decarbonization of mobility and industry. In 2019, Lhyfe participated in a real-world research program for the world's first floating electrolyzer and a direct connection to a floating wind farm. The R&D plant has been in operation since September 2022.
www.lhyfe.com
Main-Kinzig Netzdienste
Main-Kinzig Netzdienste GmbH is a subsidiary of the Gasversorgung Main-Kinzig GmbH. Our task is to transport natural gas in the Main-Kinzig district in Hesse. For this purpose we operate a pipeline network over 1,200 km long in 21 municipalities. For the future, Main-Kinzig Netzdienste GmbH plans to feed hydrogen into its distribution network to ensure that everyone connected to the network can take advantage of this energy source.
We are building the network of the future - natural gas today, hydrogen tomorrow!
NRM Netzdienste Rhein-Main GmbH
As a subsidiary of Mainova AG, we consolidate network expertise in Frankfurt am Main and its surroundings, as well as in large parts of the gas-supplied Aschaffenburg district. We are the central contact point for energy traders, downstream network operators, and end customers for all technical and commercial questions related to supply networks. Thanks to our many years of experience in planning, constructing, and operating supply networks for electricity, natural gas, and water, we have developed forward-looking solutions for the diverse requirements of our customers: For example, the tightly meshed electricity network of the economic metropolis Frankfurt am Main, which is considered one of the safest networks at all.
OsthessenNetz GmbH
OsthessenNetz GmbH is part of the RhönEnergie Group in Fulda. With our supply networks, we provide electricity, gas, water, and heat to the region of East Hesse and neighbouring parts of Lower Franconia and West Thuringia. Approximately 300,000 people live in our supply area. Our networks are characterized by high technical quality, economic efficiency, and great supply security. We see ourselves as a driving force behind the energy transition. One of our goals is to bring hydrogen to the region by the year 2028.
www.osthessennetz.de
PtX development
PtX Development stands for sustainable energy production and climate protection. As project developers, we want to use wind power and photovoltaics to generate green electricity, convert it into hydrogen and use it directly as an energy carrier, energy storage or as a starting point for chemical conversion into other energy carriers or products. Experienced entrepreneurs have come together in PtX Development GmbH and bring in their technical knowledge and financially strong partners. This includes i.a. GP Joule und CILIX Asset Management. In Lubmin we want to develop an industrial electrolysis plant with a capacity of up to 1 GW.
RWE
RWE is a shaper and pacemaker of the green energy world. RWE's portfolio is based on offshore and onshore wind, solar, hydropower, hydrogen, storage, biomass and gas. With a comprehensive investment and growth strategy, the company is expanding its high-performance green generation capacity internationally to 50 gigawatts by 2030. To this end, RWE is investing more than €50 billion gross in this decade. Against this background, RWE has announced that it will build at least 2 gigawatts of electrolysis capacity for the production of green hydrogen by 2030. RWE is involved in more than 30 projects worldwide at all stages of the hydrogen value chain. The company is one of the world's leading producers of electricity from renewable sources. In addition, the company has expertise in the production and storage of green hydrogen. RWE's energy trading business can supply hydrogen to industrial customers on demand. RWE employs around 19,000 people worldwide and has a clear goal: climate neutrality by 2040.
Schwenk Zement
Founded in 1847 SCHWENK is one of the oldest family-owned companies in the German building materials industry. The core business is divided into four divisions: cement, sand & gravel, concrete and pumps. With continuous development SCHWENK combines its strength in the Building Materials Group - in Germany and internationally with holdings and subsidiaries in Central Europe, Northern Europe and Namibia with around 4500 employees. Sustainability is considered a major issue - therefore SCHWENK is committed to determining its contribution to combating climate change.
SEFE
Securing Energy for Europe GmbH (SEFE) is an integrated energy company that is active in various steps along the value chain. Headquartered in Berlin, the state-owned company with more than 1,500 employees has its strongest footprint in Germany and serves industry customers and municipalities. As a midstream player, SEFE focuses on Sourcing & Trading, Sales, Transportation, Storage and Gas Mobility, and on commodities such as Gas & LNG, Hydrogen, and Electricity. Next to securing energy supply for Germany and Europe, SEFE also drives the green energy transformation. Hydrogen is a key enabler on the way to a climate-neutral energy supply of the future and is therefore of importance to SEFE's strategy. Building on its expertise in gas infrastructure, SEFE aims to position itself early along the hydrogen value chain and help accelerate the market ramp-up of green hydrogen.
Stadtwerke Jena Netze
Stadtwerke Jena Netze GmbH is the regional distribution grid operator for electricity, gas, water, heat and fiber optics in Jena, Pößneck and the region. Around 144.000 people live within its supply area which spans over 370 km². The municipal company operates more than 2,300 km of electricity grid and around 540 km of natural gas grid for them. More than 230 employees generate a turnover of around 93 Mio. Euros.
Stadtwerke Jena Netze GmbH is actively driving forward the transformation of its natural gas grid into hydrogen grids. Together with the experts of DBI Gas- und Umwelttechnik GmbH from Leipzig, the company started its project „H2-Transformation“ in the beginning of 2023. Till 2024, a specific roadmap shall be in place as to how the existing gas grids in Jena and Pößneck can be repurposed to hydrogen distribution grids. The overall aim is to convert first parts of the grids to 100 % hydrogen well before 2030.
TES
Tree Energy Solutions (TES) is a green hydrogen company providing long-term, non-intermittent, carbon-neutral, on-demand, industrial-scale energy. TES aims to accelerate the energy transition by leveraging existing global energy infrastructure to provide customers with green hydrogen, green gas and green electricity while accelerating the fossil fuel phase-out of the global energy system and embracing a circular carbon economy. TES is currently developing power supply sites and import terminals in Germany, Belgium, France, the Netherlands, and the United States to create an integrated network of significant global reach. First production and export terminal locations are developed in Australia, the Middle East, and North America.
Vattenfall
A successful energy transition in metropolitan areas and cities like Berlin requires above all a heat transition. To this end, Vattenfall Heat is driving the decarbonisation of urban heating with partners, thereby supporting the goals of the State of Berlin: climate neutrality by 2045. Today, Vattenfall is already actively working on the integration of green hydrogen to create a fossil-free district heating and power supply.
Verbund
VERBUND Green Hydrogen GmbH is part of VERBUND group, Austria's leading energy company and one of Europe's largest producers of electricity from hydropower. The VERBUND group generates around 96 per cent of its electricity from renewable sources, primarily hydropower.
VERBUND is the key player for the success of the energy transition in Austria. The challenges lying ahead call for a coherent orientation of the entire group, the so-called Mission V. This programme is based on the VERBUND Strategy 2030 with its three pillars: Strengthening the integrated home market, expanding renewable energies in Europe, and establishing itself as a European hydrogen player.
VNG
The VNG Group, headquartered in Leipzig, Germany, is an energy supplier active throughout Europe with a broadly based service portfolio in gas and infrastructure. With its "VNG 2030+" strategy, VNG is pursuing an ambitious path for its commitment to renewable and decarbonized gases. VNG is one of the leading biogas producers in Germany and is actively involved in a number of projects to build a CO2-neutral hydrogen economy with a special focus on eastern Germany.
VNG Handel & Vertrieb
VNG Handel & Vertrieb GmbH, based in Leipzig, supplies national and international trading companies, distributors, municipal utilities as well as industrial and large customers reliable and flexible with natural gas. Innovative products, diverse services and individual concepts for environmentally friendly energy supply offer to our customers a comprehensive support for the implementation of the energy transition.
More Information
www.ontras.com/de/fokus-wasserstoff/wasserstoffinfrastruktur
MosaHYc - Grande Regione Hydrogen
HyPipe Bavaria – The Hydrogen Hub
