Ready4H2 attends H2VorOrt Policy Talk "Implementing the Gas Package"

This week Ready4H2 attended a Policy Talk in Brussels hosted by the German initiative H2vorOrt, where its Gas Distribution Transformation Plan 2026 was presented. The plan summarises the responses from 248 German gas distribution system operators, operating 80% of the German gas grids, about forecasts and adaptation by 2045 to the German gas and hydrogen network development plan, as well as articles 55 -57 of the EU Hydrogen and Gas Market Directive 2024/1778. The results show significant reductions in volumes of gas demand by 2045 and an almost unanimous need for green gases, including hydrogen, to provide heating and power.

A panel of speakers comprising German MEP Jens Geier and representatives from H2VorOrt, ENNOH, ACER and Eurogas, moderated by Carbon Pulse, discussed the key issues including the need for policy makers to amend some requirements to be more practical, such as removing the 10-year notice period to disconnect a gas customer if a replacement hydrogen connection cannot be assured, and applying better address financing framework issues, especially during the transition from gas to hydrogen.

H2VorOrt members are members of the Ready4H2 project.