Hydrogen core network operators publish guidelines for capacity reservations from 2026 onwards – Strong signal for the hydrogen ramp-up in Germany and Europe

Under the reservation concept, binding reservations for entry and exit capacities for hydrogen deliveries will be possible, marking a significant step towards greater security for hydrogen projects. Reservations will later be replaced by capacity bookings. In the initial phase, marketing will occur within dedicated clusters, allowing for flexible use of firm and freely allocable capacity. Transport between clusters will also be enabled.

With the release of the key principles for the reservation process, the German hydrogen core network operators are aligning with their European counterparts, who are also initiating similar network user processes. The regulatory framework, including the Federal Network Agency‘s determination procedures (WaKandA, WasABi), is set to be published and will be integrated into the ongoing development of standard contracts.

Through the reservation concept, the network operators are providing a significant boost for the development of cross-border hydrogen transport and for the ramp-up of the German hydrogen economy.

In addition, the documents can be accessed in the download section of our website under the category “hydrogen”.

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

Press Contact Gasunie Deutschland
Dr Philipp v. Bergmann-Korn
presse@gasunie.de
Tel. +49 172 5410265

For market enquiries, please contact us at info@gasunie.de.

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.