energate: Mr Gößmann, following approval by the Federal Network Agency, Thyssengas is now moving on to the concrete implementation of the hydrogen core network. What does this mean for your company?
Gößmann: We want to become one of the leading network operators for the transport of hydrogen and other green gases. The approval of the hydrogen core network is therefore an important milestone - for the industry and for our company. We have been working intensively towards this for around 18 months. In the spirit of gradual development, our most time-critical H2 projects are now entering the realisation phase, i.e. the necessary planning and approval procedures. For our projects whose commissioning is further in the future and whose implementation path still needs to be finalised, we remain the point of contact for the market, politicians and the public. Our aim is to make these projects ready for the market together with potential H2 customers and to obtain final confirmation from the Federal Network Agency as part of the Integrated Network Development Plan (NDP) for gas and hydrogen.
energate: What does the core grid mean for North Rhine-Westphalia? The state has also presented its own import concept, for example, which indicates that the state government attaches great importance to hydrogen.
Gößmann: NRW is one of the strongest economic regions in Europe, which means that hydrogen is a key issue here. If NRW is to become climate-neutral by 2045, there is no way around this green energy source. Hydrogen is indispensable, especially for energy-intensive industries that cannot switch completely to electricity. So we are faced with the question: decarbonisation or deindustrialisation? The core grid forms the basis for the green transformation of our economy. Fortunately, the state government is pulling in the same direction as us. It is resolutely driving forward the expansion of the hydrogen infrastructure and is focussing on integrated planning of electricity and gas grids. This is not only forward-looking, but for me it is the key to making NRW fit for the energy and economic world of tomorrow.
energate: With the core grid, the transmission system operators (TSOs) are making advance payments. What needs to be done now to ramp up a liquid hydrogen market?
Gößmann: In my view, there are three fundamental building blocks for this: Firstly, we TSOs still need political tailwind for the development of the core grid in order to be able to meet the ambitious timetables. The acceleration of planning and approval procedures announced by politicians is firmly planned.
Secondly, we need a business case for hydrogen. Targeted measures are needed here - including instruments such as the introduction of a quota for green gases, the promotion of new gas and hydrogen power plants and well thought-out import concepts. I am also in favour of a pragmatic approach to blue hydrogen. This can be an important bridge until sufficient quantities of green hydrogen are available.
Thirdly, success will continue to depend on politicians, authorities, industry and FNBs working closely together and pulling in the same direction. After all, the H2 ramp-up is a joint task.
energate: The steel and chemical industries are important "anchor customers" in the core network. But the industry is in crisis in many areas. What does it mean when important customers drop out, as Thyssenkrupp is considering, for example? How can you react to such developments?
Gößmann: Anchor customers from the steel and chemical industries are essential for the H2 ramp-up. However, we are not building the core network for these companies alone. Our aim is to gain a broad base of network users in order to successfully ramp up the hydrogen market. We are therefore currently working on concretising existing partnerships and creating binding commitments. In addition, we also want to bring hydrogen to a wider area. We are driving market development forward with well thought-out concepts for connection and redistribution. The fact is: as the FNB, we are actively helping to shape the ramp-up. At the same time, it is important that key sectors such as the steel industry receive reliable funding instruments in order to manage their complex green transformation - this is where politicians have a role to play.
energate: You have repeatedly criticised the investment conditions of grid operators as not being suitable for the capital market. What could an improvement look like?
Gößmann: In order to enable the urgently needed investments - not only in the hydrogen infrastructure - a balanced risk/reward ratio is required. From the FNB's point of view, two parameters are particularly important: the deductible in the amortisation account and the return on equity. There are currently clear disadvantages here compared to the electricity sector. I continue to appeal to politicians to create competitive investment conditions for gas grids as well.
energate: Investments also require legal certainty. How is hydrogen regulation organised and what would your recommendations be?
Gößmann: The future users of the H2 core network need clarity about the conditions of access and use as quickly as possible. These must be swiftly transferred into a stable regulatory framework. Proven mechanisms from the natural gas market - such as the entry-exit system and standardised transport contracts - must be transferred to the hydrogen sector. Proven and well-functioning regulation provides security and promotes trust in the market. Furthermore, it is crucial that legislative processes that have already been initiated are consistently continued after the change of government. The BNetzA has taken the first steps with the initiation of the WasABi and WaKandA determination procedures, which we as an industry are actively supporting.
energate: The TSOs have planned the core grid with a high import capacity. How do you assess the fact that projects in Norway and Denmark have been cancelled or postponed? What is the significance of blue hydrogen in this context?
Gößmann: H2 imports are essential for market liquidity. The cancellation of projects such as Equinor's illustrates the enormous financial challenges associated with the development of a completely new energy market, even for multinational corporations. This is precisely what we FNB already pointed out during the negotiations on the hydrogen core network: The success of the H2 ramp-up depends largely on the right political and regulatory framework. Blue hydrogen remains an essential bridge in this context. It can close supply gaps in the short term and support the market ramp-up until sufficient quantities of green hydrogen are available. We will evaluate the adjusted import plans from Norway and Denmark as part of the NEP 2025 and supplement them with alternatives - for example via sea routes.
energate: We are facing new federal elections. What do you hope for from a new federal government?
Gößmann: Hydrogen is the basis for the green transformation of our economy and the achievement of climate targets. This conviction is shared by all parties in the democratic centre. It is now crucial to avoid a standstill in energy policy and to quickly obtain a majority in the Bundestag that is capable of taking action. I hope that a new government will continue the course we have set in the areas of hydrogen and the energy transition. And I would like to see a little more pragmatism, courage and speed. The confirmation of the H2 core network has contributed to planning security. But we also need clear instruments to promote the market ramp-up, such as a quota for green gases, investment funding for hydrogen power plants and well thought-out import concepts. This is the only way we can secure the future viability of Germany as a centre of business and innovation.
energate: Mr Gößmann, thank you very much for talking to us!