As the Bundestag reports, the first reading of a draft law from the federal government is on the agenda for Thursday, April 23, 2026. It is titled 'to amend the Energy Industry Act and other energy law provisions for the implementation of the European Gas and Hydrogen Internal Market Package.' The debate is scheduled for 30 minutes. Subsequently, the draft is to be referred to committees, with the Committee for Economic Affairs and Energy taking the lead in further deliberations.
According to the federal government, the draft law aims to implement the key requirements of Directive (EU) 2024/1788 in the Energy Industry Act (EnWG) and, where necessary, adapt national energy law to the requirements of Regulation (EU) 2024/1789. As the Bundestag states, the draft serves to create planning security by establishing a legal framework for future investments in hydrogen infrastructure and revising the existing legal framework for natural gas infrastructure. 'This contributes to the necessary further development and transformation of energy supply networks in light of climate protection goals,' the proposal states.
The draft includes, according to the source, a series of specific regulations. These include requirements for integrated network development planning for gas transmission pipelines and hydrogen transport networks. It also provides for the introduction of network development planning for hydrogen distribution networks and planning instruments for the transformation of gas networks at the distribution network level. Other points included are regulations for certification at the hydrogen transport network level, for unbundling in the hydrogen sector, and for regulating network access to hydrogen networks. Network connection to hydrogen and natural gas networks, including access to hydrogen storage and hydrogen terminals, is also regulated.
Additionally, the draft law contains requirements for regulating network charges for gas and hydrogen, for the tasks of operators of hydrogen networks, hydrogen storage facilities, and hydrogen terminals, as well as provisions for oversight by regulatory authorities in the hydrogen sector. Finally, regulations for gas and hydrogen labeling within the framework of supply contracts are included. With these comprehensive amendments, national legislation is to be aligned with European standards and the foundation laid for building a hydrogen economy.
