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Hydrogen in Europe

Initiatives such as the European Hydrogen Backbone are driving forward the establishment of a cross-border European hydrogen network and strengthening cooperation for a sustainable energy future. The European Network of Network Operators for Hydrogen (ENNOH) promotes the establishment of a functioning hydrogen market and coordinates the development of a European hydrogen transport network.

Map of the European Hydrogen Backbone

European Hydrogen Backbone

GASCADE is a member of the European Hydrogen Backbone (EHB), an initiative consisting of 33 transmission system operators who are jointly committed to the development of an integrated, European hydrogen network. The aim of the collaboration is to drive forward decarbonisation in the European Union, speed up the market ramp-up for hydrogen and gain insights across national borders that are valuable and point the way ahead for politics and the economy. 

The first joint study by the EHB was published in April 2020 and offered insights into the status quo of existing hydrogen projects and into future market developments. 

Particularly helpful as guidance in the study was the modelling carried out on the CAPEX and OPEX for repurposing existing network and for building new relevant infrastructure that provides an insight into the financial design of a future hydrogen economy.

In November 2023, the EHB initiative published its updated implementation roadmap, which presents an update of the existing cross-border hydrogen projects and also includes the costs incurred, which have been adjusted to the changed market environment. This report highlights a set of 40 specific projects managed by the EHB members. These projects encompass 31,500 kilometres of hydrogen pipelines and are expected to be commissioned before 2030. In addition, the TSOs are jointly their existing experience in the field of gas network operation and are working to ensure that the EHB is not just a

vision but a tangible reality that will support and accelerate the European energy

transition. 

The European Hydrogen Backbone (EHB) initiative

ENNOH – Supporting the Development of Europe’s Hydrogen Infrastructure

[Translate to Englisch:] ENNOH-Logo

Hydrogen is a key element of the future energy system, and GASCADE is actively contributing to its development across the European Union.  As a founding member of the European Network of Network Operators for Hydrogen (ENNOH), GASCADE is helping to shape the framework for European hydrogen transmission infrastructure that will enable the ramp-up of a resilient and integrated hydrogen market across the continent.

36 future hydrogen transmission system operators

Initiated under the EU Gas and Hydrogen Package, ENNOH brings together 36 future hydrogen transmission system operators to coordinate planning, harmonize rules and recommendations, and enable market development. Current focus areas include the EU-wide Ten-Year Network Development Plan (TYNDP), network codes, financing schemes for hydrogen transmission infrastructure, and joint scenario work with ENTSOG and ENTSO-E.

GASCADE’s planned hydrogen infrastructure is already designed for cross-border connectivity, and our involvement in ENNOH reflects this commitment: Christoph von dem Bussche, Managing Director of GASCADE currently serves as ENNOH’s president. Under his guidance, ENNOH has taken important steps toward establishing itself as the central coordination platform for hydrogen transmission infrastructure development in Europe.

For more information, visit ENNOH’s official website or explore GASCADE’s hydrogen projects here.