Publication of a second market information package – Hydrogen core network operators to launch coordinated capacity reservation process on 19 March 2026
To further support the ramp-up of the hydrogen market and offer market participants investment and planning security, the operators of the hydrogen core network will launch a coordinated process for reserving initial hydrogen core network capacities on 19 March 2026. The process will be based on a market information package published today. It provides the related information on the development of the hydrogen core network in the form of clusters and the capacities available therein and is available on the websites of the hydrogen core network operators. The process will allow companies to secure the entry and exit capacities required for their supply relationships at an early stage – an important contribution to securing hydrogen projects in Germany.
‘With the coordinated marketing process, we are taking another important step towards a successful market ramp-up in Germany and Europe. The possibility to reserve capacities simplifies access to the hydrogen core network and gives companies security for their project developments,’ emphasises Barbara Fischer, Managing Director of FNB Gas.
From the start date, capacities can be reserved on the basis of a model contract agreed within the industry using a standardised application form. The form will be published on 19 March 2026 on the website of the hydrogen core network operator responsible for the respective entry or exit points. In the first step, reservations will be based on the network and capacity structures for the years 2026 to 2030 listed in the market information package. The capacity and cluster developments for the following years will be published subsequently by the hydrogen core network operators, taking into account the gas and hydrogen network development plan. With the start of the capacity reservation process, the hydrogen core network operators are providing an important impetus for cross-border hydrogen transport and the market ramp-up in Germany. It creates a reliable framework for the development of supply chains and long-term investment planning in the European hydrogen market.
Market information from the hydrogen core network operators
In addition, the documents can be accessed in the download section of our website under the category “hydrogen”.
Model contract for hydrogen capacity reservations
As part of developing the Hydrogen Cooperation Agreement, a standardized model contract for capacity reservations in the hydrogen core network has been agreed upon.
Specific reservation fee charged by Gasunie Deutschland Transport Services GmbH
During the reservation period, the customer pays a reservation fee, which is determined individually by the respective hydrogen network operator. The specific reservation fee of Gasunie Deutschland Transport Services GmbH amounts to 5% of the ramp-up tariff of a non-interruptible annual capacity product valid at that time, in accordance with the regulations WANDA [GBK-24-01-2#1] and KOSMO [GBK-24-01-2#2] set by the Bundesnetzagentur .
Contact
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.