Fourth Market Information Package: Core Network Operators Standardise Reservation Fees

The hydrogen core network operators also announce the introduction of a standardised reserva-tion fee. For all reservation requests received from 05.11.2026 onwards, the reservation fee will be set at a standard rate of 1/25 of the applicable ramp-up fee. The network operators thereby establish a transparent and nationwide uniform basis for the reservation of transport capacity in the core hydrogen network. Existing contractual partners will also be given the opportunity to switch to the new fee model for the remainder of their contract term.

“The reservation process is moving forward. The fact that capacity is being requested across an increasing number of regions is a positive sign for the ramp-up of the hydrogen economy. With the new standardised reservation fee, applicable nationwide, the core hydrogen network operators are creating transparent and reliable framework conditions for capacity reservations.” – Barbara Fischer, Managing Director of FNB Gas

The fourth market information package provides updated information on available and reserved capacities in the offer zones and clusters of the hydrogen core network. As of 7 October 2026, entry and exit capacities totalling over 6 GW have been contractually reserved in the clusters and capacities totalling over 0.5 GW reserved for cross-cluster transport (CÜT). The hydrogen core network operators will continue to provide the market with regular updates on developments regarding reservations, capacities and infrastructure.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us:

Contact for market enquiries

Fabio Woy
Matthias Altenhoff
h2-transport@gasunie.de

Press Contact Gasunie Deutschland

Dr. Philipp v. Bergmann-Korn
presse@gasunie.de
Tel. 0172 5410265

Hyperlink – a key pillar for decarbonising industry

With the Hyperlink project, Gasunie Deutschland will account for 10 per cent of the hydrogen core network, thus making a significant contribution to the foundation for developing a hydrogen infrastructure in Germany. By connecting important production, import, and storage locations with major industrial regions, we facilitate the decarbonisation of industries. With its direct connection to the national hydrogen networks in the Netherlands and Denmark, Hyperlink is also an important part of a European hydrogen infrastructure. Around 70 per cent of Hyperlink is based on the conversion of existing natural gas pipelines – a sustainable solution that saves valuable resources and enables faster implementation. By the end of 2025, 190 km of the Gasunie network will already have been converted for future hydrogen transport in this way.

Hyperlink 1 and 2 are part of the IPCEI (Important Projects of Common European Interest) Hy2Infra wave, which was approved by the EU Commission in February 2024. The German government subsequently gave the green light, by means of the associated grant decision, in July 2024. The funding under the grant is provided by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy, the Lower Saxony Ministry for the Environment, Energy and Climate Action, the Lower Saxony Ministry for Economic Affairs, Transport, Construction and Digitalisation and the Senator for Economics, Ports and Transformation of the Free Hanseatic City of Bremen.

Gasunie Deutschland – full of new energy

Gasunie Deutschland Transport Services GmbH, headquartered in Hanover, is responsible for managing, operating and expanding a long-distance pipeline network of approximately 4,600 kilometres. Due to its geographical location, the Gasunie network, which totals over 17,000 kilometres in the Netherlands and Germany, serves as a gas hub for north-western Europe. Gasunie Deutschland is a subsidiary of N.V. Nederlandse Gasunie. As an important part of the north German natural gas network, Gasunie’s transport facilities make a significant contribution to secure gas supply in Germany and Europe. Gasunie is driving forward the hydrogen market by connecting supply and demand for hydrogen and providing the necessary infrastructure. In this way, Gasunie is strengthening the energy transition.