
Strong response to the hydrogen core network: 32 enquiries, total demand of 3.5 gigawatts
The reservation phase for the German hydrogen core network began on 19 March 2026. During this phase, 32 capacity requests have already been submitted – a volume that exceeds the network operators’ expectations. This points to corresponding market demand and underlines the relevance of the planned transmission infrastructure.
The enquiries received cover capacities of around 3.5 gigawatts. The majority of the enquiries have already been answered positively, which shows that the established review processes are working.
The applications cover two areas: feed-in and off-take capacities are in demand at around 2.9 gigawatts. This corresponds to the points at which hydrogen is fed into or withdrawn from the core network. For the cluster transition transport (CÜT), which transports hydrogen between regional sections of the network, a volume of approximately 0.6 gigawatts is required. The earliest planned start of operation is 2027.
The network operators are reviewing the requests received on the basis of the capacities published in the second market information package (5 March). For requests that exceed these capacities, a structured case-by-case assessment procedure will be applied. As things stand, all requests reviewed have been approved. This shows that the procedure acts as a mediator between the requirements of market participants and network development.
Barbara Fischer, Managing Director of FNB Gas, explains: “The fact that demand is already so high shortly after the launch clearly shows how important the core network is for the market ramp-up in Germany. Together, we are laying the foundations for the development of supply chains and thus enabling long-term investment decisions in the H2 market. ”
The network operators have announced that further information will be provided to the market at a later date. This means that the findings from the reservation phase to date will be incorporated into the ongoing optimisation of network planning.
Source: https://www.ontras.com/de/aktuelles/newsroom/guter-marktstart-nachfrage-nach-kapazitaeten-im-wasserstoff-kernnetz-uebertrifft



































