On 22 October 2024, the Federal Network Agency approved the construction of Germany's hydrogen core network. Two years on, Germany's transmission system operators have taken stock. With a planned pipeline length of around 9,040 kilometres, this is the largest hydrogen network project in Europe, according to FNB Gas. Since summer 2026, hydrogen has been flowing through core network pipelines for the first time, on the Baltic coast, from Emsland to the Ruhr region and in the eastern German chemical triangle.
In the first year after approval, more than 500 kilometres of pipelines were brought into operational readiness. Of these, 507 kilometres are converted natural gas pipelines. The largest section is a 400-kilometre route from Lubmin on the Baltic coast via Brandenburg to Bobbau in Saxony-Anhalt. Gascade filled this with hydrogen in December 2025. A further 900 kilometres are due to be added this year and next, according to FNB Gas.
Electrolysis, transport and offtake in live operation
In the second year after approval, production, transport and offtake are working together in live operation for the first time. In Lingen, an RWE electrolyser is producing renewable hydrogen. This travels via pipelines operated by Nowega, OGE and the Evonik subsidiary Syneqt to the chemical park in Marl.
In parallel, Ontras can transport around 2,700 tonnes of green hydrogen a year from the Bad Lauchstädt energy park to the TotalEnergies refinery in Leuna, according to its own figures. Germany's first commercial hydrogen cavern storage facility is also scheduled to come online in Epe in 2027. For connection to the European hydrogen backbone, Gasunie has already completed more than 170 kilometres of hydrogen pipelines through conversion measures as part of its Hyperlink project.
Reserved capacities exceed expectations
Since March 2026, market participants have been able to reserve entry and exit capacities on a binding basis. Demand is exceeding expectations, according to FNB Gas. By the most recent reporting date, capacities of just under 6 GW had been reserved on a paid basis. That is twice as much as in May 2026.
“The hydrogen core network proves that Germany can deliver major transformation projects. Every kilometre of hydrogen pipeline, every electrolyser and every industrial company that switches to hydrogen strengthens regional value creation and Germany as an industrial location,” says Matthias Jenn, chairman of the FNB Gas board.
FNB Gas managing director Barbara Fischer points to the financing needs for further expansion. “The network operators have delivered: the first pipelines are in the ground, and industry is reserving transport capacities. But every additional pipeline needs offtakers, and every new customer needs sufficient hydrogen,” Fischer notes. What is needed above all, she says, are reliable financing conditions for investment decisions along the entire value chain. This includes continuing and expanding the carbon contracts for difference, as well as securing financing for the import corridors.
Regulatory framework and outlook
The Federal Network Agency has further developed the regulatory framework over the past two years. The Wanda (June 2024) and Kosmo (December 2025) rulings set out the network charging system. Wakanda and Wasabi (both October 2025) followed, defining the future network access and balancing model. Full application of Wakanda and Wasabi is scheduled from 2028. The cooperation agreement for hydrogen is currently being drawn up by the relevant industry associations.
The second draft of the first integrated network development plan for gas and hydrogen (NEP 2025) foresees a hydrogen transport network of 9,241 kilometres by 2037. This includes 291 kilometres of new measures beyond the core network. With a total investment volume of €24 billion, the plan aims to connect production sites, ports, storage facilities and industrial centres across all federal states by 2037.
