Ready for the Hydrogen Ramp-Up: Network Operators Publish Reservation Concept

The operators of Germany’s hydrogen core network have today published key information for the market, paving the way for the reservation of hydrogen capacities from early 2026. This provides market participants with early planning certainty and sends a clear signal for the ramp-up of the hydrogen economy in Germany.

Based on the reservation concept, it will be possible to make binding reservations for hydrogen injection and withdrawal capacities – an important step toward greater security for hydrogen projects. The reservation will later be replaced by a capacity booking. In the initial phase, marketing will take place within so-called clusters, allowing flexible use through fixed and freely allocable hydrogen capacities. Transport between clusters will also be enabled.

By publishing the key parameters of the reservation process, the German hydrogen core network operators are aligning with their European partners, who are likewise initiating corresponding network user processes. The regulatory foundations – including the upcoming decisions by the Federal Network Agency (WaKandA, WasABi) – are expected to be published soon and will be incorporated into the further development of contractual standards.

With the reservation concept, the network operators are providing an important impetus for the establishment of cross-border hydrogen transport and for the hydrogen ramp-up in Germany.

Further information on the individual clusters is available directly from the respective hydrogen core network operators.