Another step towards the foundation of ENNOH

Future hydrogen transmission network operators (HTNOs) are taking a further step towards the establishment of a European hydrogen umbrella organisation (EN-NOH). A voluntary co-operation structure is to start work on the ENNOH goals.

(Brussels, 11 December 2024) The future operators of long-distance hydrogen networks in the EU have today taken an important step towards strengthening a European hydrogen transport network: They have jointly agreed to establish a time-limited, voluntary cooperation and to choose a management structure to steer activities in 2025. This initiative, known as Pre-ENNOH, will develop the preparatory work required for ENNOH (the European Network of Network Operators for Hydrogen) to fulfil the regulatory tasks assigned by the Hydrogen and Decarbonised Gas Market Package in 2025 and 2026. 

The future HTNOs will operate under Regulation (EU) 2024/17892 in accordance with the draft regulatory documents they submitted to ACER and the European Commission on 30 August 2024. A management structure has been appointed to steer the work in the coming months. The content and activities of the predecessor organisation will be taken over by ENNOH as soon as it is legally established. This is expected to take place in the fourth quarter of 2025. 

The elected management structure comprises a president, board members and a director:

  • President: Christoph von dem Bussche (GASCADE)
  • Director: Abel Enríquez
  • Board members: Gaetano Mazzitelli (Snam), Nicolas Peugniez (GRTgaz), Szabolcs Ferencz (FGSZ), Sara Kärki (Gasgrid vetyverkot), Agnieszka Ozga (GAZ-SYSTEM), Andra Vlahbei (Transgaz), Arno Büx (Fluxys Hydrogen), Björn Santana Arvidsson (Nordion Energi H2), Detlef Brüggemeyer (Open Grid Europe), Edwina Nyhan (Gas Networks Ireland), Helmie Botter (Gasunie - Hynetwork Services), Luis Ignacio Parada (Enagás Infraestructuras de Hidrógeno), Michal Slabý (NET4GAS), Michael Thomadakis (DESFA), Pedro Furtado (REN Gás) and Rastislav Ňukovič (eustream).

Christoph von dem Bussche, President of Pre-ENNOH, comments: ‘Pre-ENNOH will play an essential role in ensuring that the appropriate preparatory work is carried out so that ENNOH can hit the ground running and fulfil the expectations of the EU Regulation. We look forward to working with the European Commission, ACER, ENTSO-E, ENTSOG, the EU DSO entity and other relevant stakeholders in carrying out this preparatory work.’

Over the following year, the future HTNOs will develop various preparatory activities related to the deliverables that ENNOH is required to publish in 2025 under the EU Regulation, such as the integrated model (October 2025) and the draft cross-sectoral methodology for hydrogen (December 2025). They will also work on the establishment and legal anchoring of ENNOH, set up the secretariat, procure the necessary resources and build the required capacities to effectively fulfil ENNOH's mission.

Mr von dem Bussche adds a few personal words: ‘Shaping the expansion of hydrogen and the competitive decarbonisation of European industry is a major challenge for everyone involved. With ENNOH, we will make our contribution to a well-networked European hydrogen infrastructure. As President, I am looking forward to this task and would like to thank Pieter van Aartsen for his successful moderation of the ENNOH foundation process. His contribution was invaluable for all future HTNOs’.

Who is ENNOH?

ENNOH, the European Network of Hydrogen Network Operators, is the organisation for the cooperation of hydrogen transport network operators in the EU (HTNOs). The main task of ENNOH is to promote the development and proper functioning of the internal market for hydrogen and cross-border trade. ENNOH will aim to ensure optimal management, coordinated operation and sound technical development of the future European hydrogen transport network.

Gas Connect Austria, together with Managing Director Harald Stindl and Aleksandar Savic, has worked intensively on the founding process and the new ENNOH statutes.

ENNOH's work in the area of regulatory/expert tasks and deliverables will include the following:

  • The preparation of Union-wide Ten Year Network Development Plans (TYNDP) and all related developments.
  • The development of network codes and technical recommendations on various topics for efficient and effective market and system operation.
  • Providing regular information, common operational tools and ensuring regional cooperation, as called for in the hydrogen and decarbonised gas market package.

In a transitional phase, Pre-ENNOH will take over the necessary preparatory work from ENNOH.