Europe’s hydrogen operators’ network moves a step closer
Pieter van Aartsen, moderator for the ENNOH foundation process. Image: ENNOH
The European Network of Network Operators for Hydrogen (ENNOH) has moved a step closer to launch with the submission of key statutory documents to ACER, the EU Agency for the Cooperation of Energy Regulators.
These are the draft articles of association and rules of procedure on the consultation of stakeholders as well as the draft list of members.
ACER, which has made the documents available for public consultation, has up to four months for its review, after which the European Commission (EC) has up to three months for approval to enable the formal launch of the ENNOH in Q2 of 2025.
The ENNOH was set out in the EU’s hydrogen and decarbonised gas package as the counterpart for hydrogen network operators of the electricity and gas transmission organisations ENTSO-E and ENTSOG.
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The first meeting was held on 23 January 2024 with 36 infrastructure operators gathered, comprised of hydrogen PCI project promoters, European Hydrogen Backbone initiative members and other designated operators, to initiate the process that has led to the documents now under review.
The draft articles state that the association is established on a non-profit basis in order to promote the development and proper functioning of the internal market in hydrogen and cross-border trade and to ensure the optimal management, coordinated operation and sound technical evolution of the European hydrogen transmission network.
The association may undertake any activity, which directly or indirectly enables it to achieve this purpose, including proposals and guidance on network codes, the adoption and publication of ten-year hydrogen network development plans and of annual work programmes and supply outlooks.
A key duty is cooperation with the ENTSO-E and ENTSOG and cooperation of the hydrogen transmission network operators with the hydrogen distribution network operators and the electricity TSOs and DSOs.
Other aspects covered in the draft articles include the management of the ENNOH with a board and secretariat, membership and the general assembly.
The draft list of founding members includes one from each of Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czeck Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden and Cyprus (an associate member), two each from Austria, France and Italy and nine from Germany.
Membership is open to current and future hydrogen transmission network operators or, in those member states where operators are not present, by an entity designated by the member state.
The ACER consultation runs to 21 October 2024.
