Strong Market Launch: Demand for Capacity in the Hydrogen Core Network Exceeds Expectations
The demand for transport capacity in the future hydrogen core network has already exceeded network operators’ expectations at the very start of the reservation phase. Market interest is a clear signal of the ramp-up of the hydrogen economy in Germany. The operators of the hydrogen core network launched the joint reservation phase on March 19, 2026.
“The fact that demand is already so high shortly after the start clearly shows how important the core network is for the market ramp-up in Germany. Together, we are laying the foundation for the development of supply chains and thus enabling longterm investment decisions in the H2 market,” said Barbara Fischer, Managing Director of FNB Gas.
Since the launch, numerous reservation requests have been submitted, most of which have already received a positive response in the form of a reservation offer. Further requests are currently under review. The level of demand shows that companies along the hydrogen value chain are registering concrete needs at an early stage and are placing their trust in the development of a high-performance transport infrastructure.
As of now, a total of 32 requests have been submitted. In the clusters, entry and exit capacities of up to approximately 2.9 GW have been requested, as well as capacities of up to approximately 0.6 GW for cross-cluster transport (CCT). The earliest planned start of use is 2027.
The review of the requests is based on the capacities published by the network operators in the second market information package on March 5, 2026. In cases where the requested capacities exceed that published level, a structured process involving individual case-by-case review is applied. This procedure has proven effective: all requests reviewed so far have received a positive response.
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.