Germany's hydrogen core network launches binding capacity reservations in early 2026. The 22 network operators have published their framework for entry and exit capacity allocation. Companies gain planning certainty for their hydrogen projects within a coordinated European approach.
The operators of Germany's hydrogen core network have released comprehensive guidelines for capacity reservations starting early 2026. The information package provides market participants with concrete planning foundations for hydrogen projects. German network operators coordinate their timeline with European partners who are launching parallel user commitment processes for hydrogen capacity marketing.
The reservation concept enables binding allocation of entry and exit capacities for supply transactions. This provides additional security for H₂ project development. Reservations will later transition into regular capacity bookings. Network operators credit reservation fees against future transport charges.
Cluster Model Structures Market Access
In the initial phase, network operators market capacities through clusters of hydraulically connected networks. Within these clusters, they establish offer zones.
Firmly freely allocable hydrogen capacities (FWK) enable path-independent transport within Germany's hydrogen market area. Initially, allocation is limited to individual clusters. As the network expands and clusters merge, FWK reach extends progressively toward nationwide coverage.
Cross-Cluster Transport Already Available
Where physical connections between clusters exist, network operators offer cross-cluster transport (CÜT). Customers require one entry and one exit reservation in the connected clusters. Network operators charge no additional reservation fees for CÜT.
Offer zones define sub-areas within clusters with specific capacity for entry and exit points. The sum of marketable FWK cannot exceed the respective zone capacity. The zone concept allows flexible adaptation to market ramp-up dynamics.
Access Across All Network Point Types
Companies can reserve capacities at all network point types within clusters – from electrolyzer connections and consumption facilities to cross-border points with adjacent foreign market areas.
FWK within an offer zone can be utilized at any entry and exit point without additional hydraulic verification. The zone concept enables flexible, demand-driven capacity offerings that network operators can adjust as the market develops.
Regulatory Framework Takes Shape
Germany's Federal Network Agency (Bundesnetzagentur) is about to publish the WaKandA and WasABi regulatory procedures. These regulatory foundations inform the development of common contractual standards for network access. Network operators are creating a standardized template contract for capacity reservations.
Operators plan to publish the reservation contract and cluster and zone capacities for 2026 to 2030 before year-end 2025. These capacities reflect the infrastructure planned through each respective milestone. Market participants can reserve capacities beyond 2030. Network operators will publish capacities for subsequent years on a rolling basis aligned with the network development plan.
The reservation process launches uniformly in early 2026. Existing contracts between network users and operators remain unaffected.
