Germany’s Federal Network Agency (BNetzA) has announced that domestic long-distance gas pipeline operators have applied to join the Germany-wide hydrogen core network which is planned to be constructed and that it will take a closer look at the applications to check whether they are compliant with the legal requirements.
The network, which will be gradually put into operation by 2032, is expected to comprise a pipeline of 9,666 kilometers, of which about 60 percent will consist of existing pipelines which will be converted to hydrogen, entailing an investment of €19.7 billion. Also, the network will connect hydrogen producers, storage facilities and large consumers.
For this purpose, over the next two months, BNetzA will review applications, hold public consultations and approve them. After its approval, the construction of the network will begin.
As SteelOrbis reported previously, in June this year, the European Commission had announced its approval for German state funding worth an estimated €3 billion to support the construction of a hydrogen core network and a dedicated pipeline.