The ONTRAS start network for hydrogen
Infrastructure with a future: Development of the ONTRAS H2 start network in eastern and central Germany
The development of a functioning hydrogen economy is fundamental to achieving the climate targets. With our long-distance pipeline network and our expertise, we are actively shaping the future hydrogen infrastructure in eastern Germany.
Development of the ONTRAS H2 start network in eastern and central Germany
With the ONTRAS H2 start network, ONTRAS is realising a hydrogen transport network for central and eastern Germany covering around 600 kilometres by 2032. Around 80 per cent of this will be created by converting existing gas pipelines, while around 20 per cent will be newly built. The ONTRAS H2 start network is part of the Germany-wide hydrogen core network. In total, ONTRAS has added around 1,100 kilometres of hydrogen pipelines to the core network.
The two major infrastructure projects Green Octopus Mitteldeutschland (GO!) and doing hydrogen as well as the pipeline section in the Bad Lauchstädt energy park are part of the ONTRAS H2 start network.
Further network expansion as part of integrated network development plan
The gradual expansion of the core hydrogen network is the first stage in the development of the German hydrogen infrastructure - which will then move on to the regular process of integrated network development planning. This paves the way for the further, nationwide expansion of the hydrogen infrastructure in Germany, including at the distribution network level. The increasingly concrete determination of hydrogen potentials and requirements as part of network development planning will enable the gradual implementation of further pipeline projects in the coming years.
The ONTRAS start network for hydrogen at a glance
The planned ONTRAS start network for hydrogen links to other hydrogen infrastructure projects in Germany and is integrated into the European Hydrogen Backbone, given the key role that a hydrogen network plays in the energy transition throughout all of Europe.
“The ONTRAS start network for hydrogen connects key production and consumption areas. But we are looking beyond this, together with our customers and partners in the region. Because we can only develop a hydrogen network that optimally covers all demand by working together.”