Commenting on the approval of the hydrogen core network by the Federal Network Agency, Kerstin Andreae, Chairwoman of the BDEW Executive Board, said: "With the approval of the Federal Network Agency, the construction of the hydrogen core network can finally begin. This is a milestone on the way to a hydrogen economy and an important signal for all those who want to produce or use hydrogen in the future. After all, the hydrogen ramp-up can only succeed with a well-developed network. As it makes sense to use and convert lines from the existing gas network for 60% of the hydrogen core network, construction can be carried out quickly and in a way that conserves resources.
It is right to start with an ambitious core network at transport pipeline level. In order to make Germany as an industrial location climate-neutral and future-proof, the next step is to define the framework conditions for the lines from the core grid to the customer, the distribution grids.
Another important building block for the development of a hydrogen infrastructure is the national implementation of the EU gas/hydrogen package. The regulations lay the foundation for the further development of the gas system. Companies now need clarity on how they can plan for the future. In addition, the framework for development planning and hydrogen storage must be established. Energy infrastructure works with long-term investments. The sooner there is clarity on the framework conditions, the better the solutions will be."
