Cross-Border Hydrogen Project “H2 Cross Border” Gains Momentum – Demand for Practical Rules of Origin

The cross-border hydrogen project "H2 cross border" significantly increased its transported hydrogen volumes by January 2026. The transported volume, at 630 MWh, has almost sextupled compared to September 2024, according to the project operator, RAG Austria. At the same time, it is clear that market ramp-up continues to be hampered by regulatory requirements. A request from the partners for the implementation of missing origin registers has so far been unsuccessful.

The project was launched in 2021 by RAG Austria AG and bayernets GmbH with the goal of establishing the entire hydrogen value chain across borders for the first time. Subsequently, the MEGGLE Group was successfully secured as a customer; Shell Energy Deutschland GmbH also joined the project as a partner. The recent successes in the gradual scaling up of transport volumes underscore the importance and feasibility of such projects.

However, the project partners face regulatory hurdles, RAG Austria AG emphasizes. While the necessary GHG certificates are properly registered in the Austrian Guarantees of Origin database implemented and operated by E-Control, the issued certificates cannot be transferred to a German register. As a result, the Guarantees of Origin remain in the Austrian account and cannot be used or credited by the recipient in Germany. This sends a problematic signal to investors and project developers, said Dr. Matthias Jenn, Managing Director of bayernets GmbH.

He stated that they have demonstrated that cross-border hydrogen deliveries are technically and operationally feasible. However, the fact that Germany still lacks a functioning Guarantees of Origin register and that the German Federal Environment Agency has not communicated a clear timeline is significantly hindering market development. Without a tradable and interoperable register, green hydrogen in a cross-border context remains a regulatory stopgap, Jenn continued.