(Bonn, Germany) – The Federal Network Agency (BNetzA) has finalized the financing for the hydrogen core network. "Network operators and investors now have a reliable regulatory framework that enables them to finance the core network on a private-sector basis," says Klaus Müller, President of the Federal Network Agency. Customers can rely on a uniform and affordable ramp-up fee across Germany. "The ball is now in the network operators' court for the launch of the hydrogen economy," the agency head added.
Financing until 2055
The construction of the hydrogen core network is to be refinanced through network charges until 2055. The "WANDA" regulation creates the regulatory framework for this. A "marketable fee" for the hydrogen ramp-up will be charged from 2025 at all entry and exit points of the core network, should remain as constant as possible until 2055 and, after a successful ramp-up and the market entry of a sufficient number of customers, should ultimately generate additional revenue to compensate for the initial cost shortfall. The temporary funding gaps at the network operators are financed through a funding mechanism. The BNetzA reviews the level of the fee every three years and adjusts it if necessary.
"WANDA" was issued by the newly established Grand Decision Chamber for Energy, which determines the essential framework for network regulation independently of the Federal Government and the legislature. At the beginning of April, the Federal Network Agency launched the consultation on the establishment of "provisions for setting the network charges to be levied for access to the hydrogen core network and for establishing an amortization mechanism effective for a certain period" (WANDA). Market participants could submit comments until the end of April. Also in April, the German Bundestag approved the hydrogen network development plan and the financing of the core network.
Amount of remuneration not yet determined
The next step is the network operators' application for approval of the hydrogen core network, which is expected by mid-year. Furthermore, all future core network operators wishing to claim costs for 2025 must submit their data via a survey form by June 30, 2024. The ramp-up fee will not be determined as part of this initial assessment but will be set in separate decisions later this year.
The " WANDA " definition and the " Calculation Form " along with further information can be found on the website of the Federal Network Agency.
Photos
Office building of the Federal Network Agency in Bonn. © Federal Network Agency
