The federal government is pushing ahead with plans for a hydrogen pipeline network. A 9,700 kilometer long network is to be created by 2032. The federal government wants to advance the costs of 19.8 billion euros.
The plans for a German hydrogen network are becoming more concrete. A 9,700 kilometer long so-called core network is to be created by 2032, said Federal Economics Minister Robert Habeck when presenting the plans in Berlin. The hydrogen core network, which the Ministry of Economic Affairs and the Association of Transmission System Operators (TSO) showed in a line map, is intended to connect ports, industry, storage and power plants.
First through 2025
According to FNB, the costs should be 19.8 billion euros. The network does not have to be completely rebuilt. A good 60 percent of existing natural gas pipes could be used. According to FNB boss Thomas Gößmann, the first hydrogen should flow in 2025. “We know we have no time to lose. The excavators have to roll next year.”
Habeck announced that, similar to the liquid gas terminals, an acceleration law would be introduced for the core network. In a further step, further connections in the area would have to be planned, said the Minister of Economic Affairs. The network is initially planned to be oversized, with an exit capacity of 270 terawatt hours. For the year 2030, demand is currently expected to be between 95 and 130 terawatt hours. “That means we’re planning for the future.”
In the long term, he assumes that Germany will produce 30 to 50 percent of its hydrogen needs itself. The remaining quantities would have to be imported via pipelines or in the form of ammonia by ship. For example, the line map stipulates that hydrogen produced in North Africa can be purchased in southern Germany via Italy. Habeck emphasized that this would make Germany more independent of imports than is currently the case with oil, gas and hard coal, where almost 100 percent is imported.
Bearers of hope the energy transition
Hydrogen, which is primarily generated using wind or solar power, is intended to play a central role in the energy transition in Germany as a fuel that is as climate-neutral as possible. It is intended to be used where renewable electricity can hardly replace crude oil, natural gas or coal. This applies, for example, to shipping and air traffic. Hydrogen can also replace natural gas in power plants and is also required in industrial processes such as steel production.
The federal government makes advance payments for costs
The federal cabinet wants to legally decide on the financing of the core network as early as Wednesday. As with natural gas and electricity, the pipes should be supported by the private sector and ultimately paid for through user fees. Since demand will initially be relatively low, the state wants to make advance payments over the next few years to support the ramp-up of the hydrogen economy.
The government assumes that the account should be balanced by 2055 at the latest, given increasing network usage. If there is still a shortfall, the line operators must, according to the draft, contribute 24 percent of this.