This is of particular importance for Austria: as a long-standing transit country at the heart of Europe, Austria brings extensive experience in gas transport and network operation to the table. With its existing infrastructure, particularly the Baumgarten distribution hub, Austria can continue to play a key role as an energy hub for Central Europe, particularly as hydrogen use ramps up. To capitalise on this opportunity, what is needed above all is investment and revenue security for network operators, as well as faster procedures.
An overview of our six key demands:
- Planning certainty rather than delays
New European planning and assessment tools may be beneficial in the long term, but they must not delay ongoing projects. Therefore, regulatory clarity must be established in good time so that investment decisions are not postponed. Any new methods must be finalised before key planning cycles begin and must be applicable with reliability.
- Fair cost-sharing within the European network
The development of cross-border hydrogen networks brings benefits and costs, which are usually distributed unevenly, to the disadvantage of transit countries such as Austria. Therefore, a dynamic cost-sharing mechanism is needed that is linked to the actual distribution of benefits and can adapt to changing market developments over time.
- A central EU scenario? Only with risk mitigation
A common European scenario for the roll-out of hydrogen can provide guidance – provided it is developed transparently and enjoys broad acceptance. Crucially, investment risks must not rest solely with the network operators. A central EU scenario therefore requires binding de-risking instruments, such as EU guarantees, to cushion revenue risks during the ramp-up phase and enable investment.
- The SoutH2 Corridor: a strategic energy highway
The SoutH2 Corridor connects future hydrogen import regions with industrial centres in Central Europe, making use of existing infrastructure. As a transit country, Austria is integrated into this corridor via the “H2 Backbone WAG + Penta West”project by Gas Connect Austria. To ensure that the SoutH2 Corridor can fully fulfil its role in security of supply, diversification and decarbonisation, it should be given priority in the EU network expansion package with regard to funding, guarantees and approval procedures.
- PCI status: ensuring continuity
The planned simplification of the PCI status is an important step. Projects should be able to continue without repeated reassessment, provided they align with EU objectives. At the same time, there needs to be a stronger link between PCI status and funding and acceleration instruments so that these projects can also be implemented more quickly.
- Faster approvals – structurally adapted and legally secure
Accelerated approval procedures are necessary, but must not come at the expense of legal and planning certainty. Procedural simplifications, clear responsibilities and sufficient resources within the authorities are essential for this. It is particularly important that the conversion of existing gas infrastructure for the transport of hydrogen and CO₂ also benefits from acceleration instruments.
The European Grids Package has the potential to be a real catalyst for the energy transition – provided that investment is secured, procedures are streamlined and the role of transit countries is recognised. Austria has the potential to play a central role in the European hydrogen system. To achieve this, a clear, reliable and investment-friendly framework is needed now.