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Dear readers,
the year has barely begun and three turbulent months have already passed. A lot is in motion - both politically and in our industry: the USA has a new and old president, gas is no longer flowing from Russia via Baumgarten to Austria, Germany has elected a new Bundestag and we now also have a new government about half a year after the election.
Some political developments cannot yet be predicted, but we are already feeling the effects of others quite clearly. The gas price rose significantly at the turn of the year, then fell below the December level to around €40/MWh and is currently back at €44-45/MWh. Withdrawal rates were high at the beginning of the year, but import volumes remained manageable. The German gas storage levy, which is contrary to EU law, will at least be abolished from 1 January 2025, thus facilitating imports from this direction.
What remains is our strong commitment to the energy transition in the pipeline. With the revision of our H2 roadmap for Austria, we have now received feedback from all federal states and thus a more accurate outlook on the conversion and introduction of a hydrogen network.
For all information on the H2 roadmap, follow the link:
https://www.aggm.at/en/energy-transition/h2-roadmap/
We are involved in EU projects on the efficient transport and storage of hydrogen and will support the new federal government with all our expertise and commitment. The government programme has many important points for implementation in the energy sector that can accelerate the transformation and make it a success.
As usual, we also have other exciting information about the gas market and important dates for you.
We look forward to your feedback and ideas on what you would like to see in more detail here.
We hope you enjoy reading.
Your AGGM
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Important news
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Good to know
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AGGM in dialogue with the market
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Important News
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Gas flows and supply situation
The eagerly awaited spring after the winter is having a noticeable impact on gas consumption. Delivery routes and storage withdrawals are also changing. Unfortunately, prices are not as stable as expected and remain highly volatile at a high level. The most important thing: security of supply remains guaranteed!
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Outlook on the government program
On February 27, the new federal government presented its government program for the upcoming legislative period. This program includes several important and central measures to accelerate the energy transition in the gas sector as well. We have summarised the most important points for you here:
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Setting the course for the energy future: current status of the consultation on the LTiP and CNDP
The integrated planning approach of the LTiP and the Coordinated Network Development Plan (CNDP) creates the basis for a secure gas supply today and an efficient transformation of the energy system of tomorrow. A total of 86 projects - from replacement investments to hydrogen infrastructure - ensure security of supply, decarbonisation and the future viability of the Austrian gas grid. Included for the first time: H2 storage requirements and innovative CO₂-free gas preheating. The plans are still being consulted by E-Control until 13 March 2025.
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AGGM platform users: Call for data cleansing
As a one-stop store for market participant registration, AGGM has a central data repository for market participants in the Austrian gas market and makes the master data available to the system operators on the Austrian market. This provides the basis for smooth and error-free market processes and is processed automatically. Keeping them up to date is therefore a key factor.
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Good to know
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CEGH GreenGas Platform – First Trading Platform for Green Gases
The Central European Gas Hub (CEGH) in Vienna has launched the first trading platform for green hydrogen and biomethane, the CEGH GreenGas Platform. This platform enables the trade of green hydrogen and biomethane across European countries, as well as in Switzerland, Norway, Turkey, the United Kingdom, and Ukraine. It already has 66 members from the EU and Ukraine.
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The Potential of Renewable Gases: Biomethane in Burgenland and Lower Austria
The energy transition in Austria is gaining momentum, particularly through the promotion of renewable gases such as biomethane. In Burgenland and Lower Austria, significant steps are being taken to advance the production and injection of biomethane into the existing natural gas network. These initiatives aim to strengthen energy security while reducing CO₂ emissions.
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Hydrogen for Europe's future: ambitious projects on the road to realisation
Europe is gearing up for the energy transition - and hydrogen plays a key role in this. With the cross-border SoutH2 corridor, a 3,300 km long pipeline connection is being created from North Africa to Germany. At the same time, HI2 Valley in Austria is driving forward the development of a comprehensive hydrogen value chain - from electrolysis to utilisation. And with EUH2STARS, the conversion of existing gas storage facilities for hydrogen storage is becoming a reality at European level. AGGM is actively involved in all three projects - from grid integration and standardisation to infrastructure planning.
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Data picture of the quarter
The previously strongest import route for natural gas from Russia via Ukraine and Slovakia ceased to exist at the end of the year. Since then, consumption and exports to Italy, Hungary and Slovenia have mainly been covered by storage withdrawals. There is a fairly constant flow of around 120 GWh per day from Germany, around half of what was still coming from Russia to Austria via Baumgarten in December. For some weeks now, significant quantities have also been imported from Italy via Arnoldstein.
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SEG Publishes H2 Plant Approval Guide
The Service Center for Renewable Gases (SEG) has released a guide on approvals for renewable hydrogen production via electrolysis. The goal is to support project developers and authorities in planning and approval processes.
SEG Guide & Checklists
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ÖVGW Expands Hydrogen Regulations
The Austrian Association for Gas and Water (ÖVGW) has expanded its regulatory framework for hydrogen. The updated regulations now cover:
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*** Dates *** Dates *** Dates ***
AGGM Competence Center Training
Learn to understand the Austrian gas market in all its facets. For all employees of gas companies and public institutions, as well as anyone interested in the Austrian gas market.
We will be holding in-person events again in 2025.
Dates and further information can be found here.
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AGGM in dialogue with the market
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Conversation with Bernadette Mauthner, Managing Director of Biogas Bruck an der Leitha
Bernadette Mauthner has been Managing Director of Biogas Bruck an der Leitha since April 2014. She is one of the pioneers of domestic biomethane production and has therefore already had many experiences and ‘tales of woe’. Whether it's clogged filters for no apparent reason or a compressor that not only literally blew up, she never gets bored in a sector that has been neglected by politicians since the very beginning. Here she talks about her motivation and her wishes for a new government to finally give biomethane the status it deserves in the context of the energy transition.
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©2026 AGGM Austrian Gas Grid Management AG
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