German gas network operator Thyssengas GmbH has initiated the development of hydrogen pipelines, marking a key step in the creation of Germany's hydrogen core network, which received final approval in October.
Thyssengas plans to implement 35 projects involving the construction and conversion of approximately 1,100 km (683.5 miles) of pipelines, part of the 9,040 km hydrogen core network. The projects will connect major industrial hubs and mid-sized companies across regions including Muensterland, the Ruhr, and Rhineland to hydrogen infrastructure.
CEO Thomas Goessmann emphasized that the most time-sensitive hydrogen projects are now entering the implementation phase, including the necessary planning and approval processes. For projects with a later start, Thyssengas continues to collaborate with potential hydrogen offtakers, policymakers, and authorities to prepare the market for future developments.
Arne Dammer, Head of Strategy and Innovation at Thyssengas, outlined three key factors for the hydrogen market's expansion: the need for non-binding hydrogen commitments to be formalized into binding contracts, the planning of future connections during the core network's development to facilitate integration, and the early inclusion of broader hydrogen distribution in the planning stages.
