European Network of Network Operators for Hydrogen reaches next formative step

The next step in the formation of the European Network of Network Operators for Hydrogen (ENNOH) has been reached with publication of the European Commission’s Opinion.

The Commission’s opinion on the draft articles of association, rules of procedure and list of members of ENNOH follows that of ACER, which was delivered in December 2024.

From these two sets of opinions – and taking them into account – the organisation now must update the relevant sections, due by early July 2025, and then go on to formally establish.

Broadly the documents are required to be in line with the directive on common rules for the internal markets for renewable gas, natural gas and hydrogen (2024/1788), with the challenges of its transposition into national legislation currently under way at varying rates and that the market is still nascent with new stakeholders emerging.

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Overall the Commission concurs with the opinion of ACER and in particular it flags the need to allow operators to start cooperating as soon as possible through ENNOH, while ensuring a framework that is in line with the EU legislation.

Much of the content of the opinion is on membership of the ENNOH and that all members should fulfil the eligibility criteria, i.e. that they are certified or have started the certification process.

The ENNOH is being established as a statutory independent body – alongside ENTSO-E, ENTSOG and the DSO Entity – representing the future hydrogen transmission network operators at EU level.

Its establishment was mandated in the ‘Hydrogen and Gas Market Decarbonisation’ package, in force since June 2024.

Under the TEN-E Regulation, ENNOH will contribute to the development of the hydrogen ten year network development plan, taking over this task entirely from ENTSOG as of 1 January 2027.

ENNOH will also contribute to the establishment of harmonised technical and operational rules to ensure the efficient and safe operation of an interconnected hydrogen system across the EU.

The current pre-ENNOH management structure is under the presidency of Christoph von dem Bussche, managing director of the German gas TSO, Gascade.