Energy manager Dr Stefanie Kesting (48) will become Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Thyssengas on 1 January 2026. As a well-known leader in the energy sector, Kesting has in-depth knowledge and proven experience not only in the natural gas and electricity industry, but also in projects along the value chains of gases that will also be increasingly transported in the future as part of the energy transformation: hydrogen, biomethane andCO2. "Dr Stefanie Kesting stands for expertise, creative drive and a deep understanding of the challenges facing the energy industry. She also has in-depth expertise in the future field of hydrogen - a combination that will decisively advance Thyssengas. I am convinced that Stefanie Kesting will significantly develop the company with her experience and innovative strength and lead it successfully into the future," emphasises Hilko Schomerus, Chairman of the Supervisory Board of Thyssengas GmbH.
"The transformation towards hydrogen and other green gases is one of the greatest tasks and opportunities of our time. I am delighted to be able to assume responsibility for Thyssengas in this important phase. The development of the hydrogen core network and the ramp-up of this new energy market are crucial to successfully shaping the energy transition and securing Germany as an industrial location. Together with the strong team at Thyssengas, I would like to play an active role in shaping this process," said Dr Stefanie Kesting on her appointment as CEO of Thyssengas.
Kesting is taking over from Dr Thomas Gößmann (64), who is retiring from Thyssengas after around nine years. "Dr Thomas Gößmann has led Thyssengas with great foresight and passion for almost a decade. In particular, his strong commitment to the development of a Germany-wide hydrogen transport infrastructure has significantly advanced the company and the transmission system operator industry - with the framework for the hydrogen core network as a masterpiece. In addition, Dr Thomas Gößmann's work has significantly increased the visibility and influence of the company and the entire industry on the energy world. He deserves our great thanks and highest recognition for this," emphasises Hilko Schomerus.
"After many intensive and challenging years at Thyssengas, I look back on this time with great gratitude. I was able to lead the company during a phase in which the regulated transmission system operation underwent major changes. I am particularly proud of the fact that we as an industry took responsibility for hydrogen at an early stage and launched the hydrogen core network. I wish my successor all the best in continuing to shape this transformation," says Dr Thomas Gößmann.
"We are delighted to have Dr Stefanie Kesting, an experienced and forward-looking leader, at the helm of Thyssengas. She brings with her extensive expertise in the energy sector and a clear strategic vision for the further development of the company in a changing market environment. We are convinced that she will further develop Thyssengas with strategic focus and operational excellence and thus strengthen the long-term value of the company," says Thomas Metzger, Member of the Supervisory Board and Managing Director, Macquarie Asset Management. "We would like to thank Dr Thomas Gößmann for his many years of dedicated leadership of Thyssengas GmbH. Under his leadership, decisive steps were taken to make the company fit for the future beyond the natural gas era and to build a hydrogen-capable transport infrastructure. Our special thanks and best wishes for his personal future go to him," said Metzger.
About Dr Stefanie Kesting:
Dr Stefanie Kesting has many years of management experience in the energy industry. After holding positions at DNV, E.ON and Uniper, she is currently a member of the Board of Directors and Managing Director of the Energy Project Solutions division at plant manufacturer Neumann & Esser. Her responsibilities here include managing director of the biogas company ARCANUM Energy Systems GmbH & Co KG in Holzwickede and the decentralised integrated hydrogen production company H2HS in the district of Heinsberg. She is also a recognised international supervisory board member, e.g. currently a member of the supervisory board of the Finnish energy group Fortum and the Portuguese-based energy-intensive glass production company BA Glass.
For many years, a particular focus of her energy industry management expertise has been on renewable gases and CO₂ technologies. From 2017, she was also the founding president and board member of what is now the most important European CCU association "CO2 Value Europe" for many years. She holds a degree in business administration and a doctorate in economics and is the author of numerous publications. Her dissertation on the regulation of access to European long-distance transport networks in the European gas market was honoured with the GEE Prize of the Berlin Energy Forum in 2006.
About Thyssengas
Thyssengas GmbH is a German transmission system operator. The company, which celebrated its 100th anniversary in 2021, is headquartered in Dortmund. Thyssengas operates a gas network around 4,400 kilometres long - mostly in North Rhine-Westphalia, but also with individual pipelines in Lower Saxony. It supplies downstream distribution network operators as well as industrial companies and power plants. Thyssengas is focussing on hydrogen as a gaseous energy source for a climate-neutral future. The Dortmund network operator is involved in numerous initiatives to this end. At the same time, it is making targeted investments in the conversion of its pipeline system to enable a rapid hydrogen ramp-up as part of the energy transition. The company currently employs around 550 people at eight locations in the grid area.
Photo Dr Thomas Gößmann Photo Dr Stefanie Kesting Press photo GF Wechsel