Energy Transition
Germany Plans “Hydrogen Autobahns”
Germany’s largest transmission systems operators have unveiled initial plans for 11,200 kilometers of pipelines to supply the country with sustainably produced green hydrogen.
Jul 14, 2023
The aim is to have a core network of what the Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action has called “hydrogen autobahns” operational by 2032.
Not all of the network will need to be constructed. The plan is to repurpose Germany’s natural gas pipelines. More than half of the envisioned pipelines for hydrogen today transport natural gas.
The German government hopes that private industry will foot the costs for the hydrogen network, estimated in low-ten figure range, which will be recouped in user fees. A particular focus will be providing hydrogen to energy-intensive sectors of the economy like steel and chemicals.
