Agency for the Cooperation of Energy Regulators – ACER reveals need for higher consistency in gas and hydrogen network plans
Natural gas and hydrogen network developments are instrumental in achieving the EU’s decarbonisation goals, ensuring natural gas security of supply and fostering the hydrogen market. Consistency in network planning at European and national levels promotes efficient network development. This is what emerged from the latest evaluation of the national gas and hydrogen Network Development Plans (NDPs) made by the European Union Agency for the Cooperation of Energy Regulators (ACER).
ACER’s latest Opinion (covering 2023-2024) reveals two main trends. First of all, there is a modest yet encouraging trend towards aligning national gas NDPs with the EU-wide Ten-Year Network Development Plan (EU TYNDP). In this regard, ACER found more consolidated network operators’ plans published at the Member State level instead of separate publications from each operator. Additionally, there are more scenario-planning processes that jointly consider the gas and electricity sectors. And, the NDP showed an increased focus on integrating low-carbon and renewable gases, along with decommissioning and repurposing projects.
The second trend that emerged is that several countries have developed hydrogen strategies, legal frameworks and specific hydrogen planning activities. There is a low but growing consistency in hydrogen TYNDP projects included in the NDPs (rising from 17 per cent in 2022 to 33 per cent in 2024).
To improve the consistency of NDPs, ACER is recommending to:
- consult stakeholders and coordinate with neighbouring operators to exchange information on scenarios, infrastructure gaps and cross-border projects;
- coordinate the timing of national planning with the EU-TYNDP development process as much as possible;
- reinforce national regulatory authorities’ oversight;
- emphasise the integration of low-carbon and renewable gases, along with decommissioning and repurposing projects.
On the other hand, to improve the consistency of EU TYNDPs, ACER is recommending first, to provide detailed information on costs and, where possible, on monetised benefits, following electricity TYNDP practices. Second, to improve planning to prevent recurrent delays in the TYNDP development and release.
Now, Member States and the European Network of Transmission System Operators for Gas (ENTSOG) are expected to implement the new provisions set out by the Hydrogen and Decarbonised Gas Package and ACER is encouraging them to consider the recommendations of this Opinion to increase consistency in future national and European NDPs.
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Agency for the Cooperation of Energy Regulators – ACER reveals need for higher consistency in gas and hydrogen network plans, source
