GAZ-SYSTEM among the initiators of hydrogen transmission network operators’ organisation (ENNOH) in Europe
On 18 June 2024, during a plenary meeting in Brussels, the draft statutes of the ENNOH were officially lodged with the European Commission to Kadri Simson, Commissioner for Energy. The ENNOH is expected to be ultimately constituted and commence operations in 2025.
ENNOH will be composed of certified Hydrogen Transmission Network Operators – HTNOs. The objectives of the organisation include supporting the construction of the internal hydrogen market and infrastructure, enabling cross-border hydrogen trade, and ensuring optimum management of the future European hydrogen transmission network, as well as its coordinated operation and technical advancement.
- 15 years ago, GAZ-SYSTEM was one of the founders of ENTSOG, an organisation of gas transmission system operators, which has made a considerable contribution to the integration and development of the Community natural gas market. Today, in pursuit of the European Union climate policy targets, we are working towards the establishment of ENNOH, a platform for cooperation of future hydrogen transmission network operators. The concerting and submission of the draft statutes of ENNOH to the European Commission is the first symbolic step towards the formation of organisational structures for the future hydrogen market in the EU. We aspire to become the hydrogen transmission system operator in Poland; that is why we are ardently striving towards meeting the conditions for joining the ENNOH - said Sławomir Hinc, President of GAZ-SYSTEM Management Board.
The present and future hydrogen transmission system operators are obliged to submit to the European Commission and ACER draft statutes of ENNOH together with a list of agency members and internal regulations including procedures for consulting market participants.
To inaugurate the ENNOH statutes drafting process, thirty-six infrastructure operators met for the first time in January 2024. GAZ-SYSTEM has been an active participant in the founding process of ENNOH from the outset. The Company's representative in the ENNOH Plenary is Sławomir Hinc, CEO.
Membership in the ENNOH
ENNOH membership is granted to certified hydrogen network operators. Joining the organisation is possible already upon commencement of the certification process by the national regulatory authority. The final confirmation of membership is subject to obtaining a certification decision within two years of joining, and development of hydrogen infrastructure projects, as well as a final investment decision up to four years after joining ENNOH.
Moreover, a designated HTNO which benefits from a derogation for a national system that is not yet connected to other EU systems can also join ENNOH. The designated entities from countries having no HTNO but considering the development of hydrogen networks within their territories can join ENNOH as associate members.
ENNOH tasks
The tasks of the new organisation will be identical to those currently implemented by ENTSOG uniting the European gas transmission system operators. ENNOH will be accountable for:
- the development of an EU-wide Hydrogen Ten-Year Network Development Plan, including a European hydrogen supply outlook,
- the development of network codes in cooperation with ENTSOG, and establishing new hydrogen network codes together with their subsequent monitoring,
- the preparation of recommendations on the coordination of technical cooperation between the operators.
Moving forward
The Hydrogen and Gas Markets Decarbonisation Package is expected to be signed and published in the Official Journal of the EU shortly. The regulation will become directly applicable six months after publication. Member States will have two years to align their national legislation with the provisions of the directive.
Infrastructure operators continue to proceed towards the successful establishment of ENNOH in accordance with the deadlines and obligations set out in the regulation ensuring transparency and openness throughout the process. You are kindly invited to follow the newly created website of the European Network of the Network Operators for Hydrogen (ENNOH).
Additional information:
ENNOH website
ENNOH LinkedIn
1Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council on the internal markets for renewable gas, natural gas and hydrogen, amending Regulations (EU) No 1227/2011, (EU) 2017/1938, (EU) 2019/942 and (EU) 2022/869 and Decision (EU) 2017/684 and repealing Regulation (EC) No 715/2009 (recast).