Hydrogen as the key to the energy transition - government programme sets important course

With its government programme "JETZT DAS RICHTIGE TUN. Für Österreich." ("DO THE RIGHT THING NOW. For Austria."), the Austrian federal government has set a key course for the transformation of the energy supply. The strategic reorganisation of the gas grid infrastructure plays a decisive role in this: the gradual transition from fossil natural gas to renewable gases and hydrogen is to be actively pro-moted.

As a gas network operator, we are facing a historic transformation. The existing gas grids can be further developed specifically for the transport of green gas and hydrogen. The government programme offers important approaches for this, which must now be developed quickly and in depth.

Utilising gas infrastructure and making it fit for the future

The government programme provides for the sustainable use and modernisation of the gas infrastructure:

  • An integrated, transnational infrastructure plan for the efficient utilisation of existing networks
  • Development of strategies to diversify the gas supply
  • Rapid implementation of the EU gas and hydrogen internal market package
  • Mobilisation of green gases through the Renewable Gases Act (EGG), which is to be adopted by summer 2025. The aim is to achieve a feed-in volume of 6.5 terawatt hours of green gases per year by 2030.

These measures are to be welcomed in order to maintain the gas grids as the backbone of the energy supply in the long term and to align them for the future.

Hydrogen as the key to decarbonising industry

A central component of the energy transition is the development of a hydrogen economy. The government programme addresses this and provides for the following measures:

  • Creation of a clear legal and regulatory framework for a hydrogen economy
  • Certification of gas transmission system operators for the transport of hydrogen
  • Establishment of a hydrogen authority to speed up authorisation processes
  • Establishment of a hydrogen start-up network with a clear legal framework
  • Development of a national import strategy for hydrogen

These points form a solid basis - now it is important to quickly concretise and implement the concepts.

„H2 Backbone WAG + Penta-West“ as a key project

An essential infrastructure project of the national import strategy is the “H2 Backbone WAG + Penta-West”. As part of the SoutH2 Corridor, it will connect hydrogen sources in North Africa with Austria and Germany via Italy. This cross-border network creates an efficient hydrogen infrastructure and strengthens security of supply.

Conclusion: Rapid implementation and in-depth design required

The government programme offers the right approaches to establish hydrogen as the energy source of the future and to further develop the gas networks in a sustainable manner. It is now important to quickly back up these measures with the necessary legal and regulatory details.

The transformation of the gas infrastructure can only succeed with a clear and reliable framework - for a secure, sustainable and future-proof energy supply in Austria.