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Dear readers,
we have had a turbulent start to the year, and the situation continues to change almost weekly. Unfortunately, the dynamic nature of the energy sector shows no sign of abating in 2026. The days of seemingly unquestionable gas flows are well and truly over. Diversification, resilience and security of supply now characterise the day-to-day operations of network operators, market participants and policymakers. At the same time, despite geopolitical tensions and volatile markets, decarbonisation remains firmly in the spotlight: renewable gases such as hydrogen and biomethane continue to gain strategic importance. The same applies to the infrastructure required to support them.
Following 2025, a year marked by the reorganisation of gas flows, high storage levels and a gradual normalisation of prices, the next strategic decisions are now on the agenda. The concrete implementation of the European Gas and Hydrogen Package, national legislative initiatives and key investment decisions are coming into focus. The energy transition in the pipeline is thus becoming increasingly tangible – with immediate implications for industry, households and the future role of gas infrastructure.
Against this backdrop, in this issue we examine the current situation on the gas market and security of supply in Austria. A look at consumption trends, storage levels and import capacities shows that, despite the war in Iran, physical supply is currently well secured; at the same time, high price volatility remains a key challenge for market players and customers.
Another focus of this issue is the development of hydrogen infrastructure in Europe.
With the recently presented Industry Strategy 2035, the Austrian Federal Government is also establishing an important strategic framework for Austria as an industrial location. Hydrogen is enshrined therein as a key energy carrier for industrial transformation, with the development of an efficient hydrogen network understood as a prerequisite for competitiveness, climate neutrality and security of supply. It will be crucial to underpin this ambition with clear, practical regulatory and financial frameworks – particularly during the ramp-up phase, when investment security and affordable network costs will determine success.
At European level, too, the roll-out of hydrogen is entering its next phase: the European regulatory authority’s first-ever support for the certification of a hydrogen transmission system operator marks an important step from strategy to regulatory practice. This precedent underscores how urgently the necessary legal foundations must also be established in Austria to enable the planning, approval and operation of hydrogen networks in a legally secure manner.
Consultations are also currently underway at ENTSO-G and ENNOH regarding gas infrastructure development and the challenges facing the roll-out of hydrogen infrastructure. We also examine how this can be achieved in Austria in this issue.
We also take a look at Germany and analyse the status of the hydrogen core network as well as the key risks that are slowing down market ramp-up – from regulatory uncertainty and a lack of demand anchors to financing issues. In addition, we highlight the lessons that can be drawn from this for Austria.
This issue is rounded off with insights into further developments in our data publication, a review of the AGGM roadshow and our upcoming events. Our aim remains the same: to provide guidance, contextualise developments and promote mutual exchange on the path towards a resilient, climate-neutral energy system.
We would like to take this opportunity to draw your attention to our Austrian Gas Infrastructure Day AGID26, which will take place on 9 November 2026 at the Wien Museum. On this day, we will present the strategic network development plans for the energy future and the latest version of our H2 roadmap for Austria.
We hope you find this issue informative and look forward to continuing our dialogue with you.
Yours sincerely
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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Security of supply and the situation on the gas market
Following the very cold spell in January, gas consumption has recently fallen significantly. Whilst on some peak days demand still exceeded 500 GWh per day, daily consumption currently stands at just over 200 GWh. The reduced use of gas-fired power stations is a major contributing factor to this.
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ACER supports certification of first hydrogen transmission system operator
The European hydrogen market is taking a significant step forward: the Agency for the Cooperation of Energy Regulators (ACER) is, for the first time, supporting the certification of a European hydrogen transmission system operator.
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Consultation on the ENNOH and ENTSOG report on de-risking options for hydrogen infrastructure
ENNOH and ENTSOG have published a joint report on de-risking options for investments in hydrogen infrastructure. The report follows on from a mandate from the Copenhagen Energy Infrastructure Forum 2025 to develop solutions for how cross-border hydrogen projects in particular can be financially secured and thereby accelerated.
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Hydrogen infrastructure: Could the Austrian gas industry’s concept serve as a blueprint for the European de-risking debate?
Under the umbrella of the Austrian Association of the Gas and District Heating Supply Companies (FGW), the Austrian gas industry has developed a concrete proposal for the ramp-up of hydrogen transport infrastructure. At its heart lies the question of how investment in networks can be facilitated, even though demand, production sites and market prices are still subject to considerable uncertainty.
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Good to know
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AGGM Data publication: Latest developments
Have you already seen our latest developments and improvements within the data publication tools on the AGGM platform (Data Map and Data Monitor)? To simplify your experience, we have introduced new functionalities to manage and share your Favorites or made it easier to look up the correct time series.
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A look at Germany: Progress on the development of the German hydrogen core network
Hydrogen core network and network development plan
The draft integrated gas and hydrogen network development plan provides a revised overview of the German hydrogen network up to 2037. Network operators are planning a total of around 9,200 km of hydrogen pipelines, of which approximately 2,000 km form the already approved core network; construction or conversion of this section is scheduled to begin predominantly by 2027 and be completed by 2030.
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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 2026.
Dates and further information can be found here.
Austrian Gas Infrastructure Day – AGID 26
AGID represents the highlight of our infrastructure planning. The event offers an insight into the current gas network infrastructure measures for security of supply and diversification of sources, as well as the current planning status of the hydrogen network.
The consultation versions of the Long-Term and Integrated Planning (LFiP) and the Coordinated Network Development Plan (KNEP) will be presented during the event. These infrastructure plans lay the foundations for a secure energy transition in the pipeline.
AGID 2026 will also feature the presentation of the latest version of the H2 Roadmap for Austria, for which a needs assessment is currently underway. The H2 Roadmap outlines the further development of the gas network for the transport of hydrogen and methane up to 2050.
We are also looking forward to engaging discussions and guest presentations from the fields of climate research and regulation.
Please make a note of the date:
When? November 2026 at 09:30
Where? Vienna Museum, Karlsplatz 8, 1040 Vienna
How? In person and online
Future Forum on Green Gas
On Tuesday, 2 June 2026, the Gas and Heating Trade Association invites you to the Future Forum on Green Gas 2026 at the Palais Niederösterreich in Vienna. Under the motto ‘Between New Beginnings and Upheaval’, experts from politics, business and research will discuss the role of green gas and hydrogen in the energy system of the future.
Please register by 25 May 2026 at: Zukunftsforum Grünes Gas 2026
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AGGM in dialogue with the market
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Review: AGGM Roadshow
Under the motto “stay in touch with gas”, we have been travelling throughout Austria over the past few months – with a clear objective: to strengthen personal dialogue at a working level, deepen mutual understanding and promote sustainable cooperation between gas distribution network operators. The final stop of our AGGM Roadshow in Vorarlberg and Liechtenstein marked the conclusion of an intensive and substantive tour of Austria.
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©2026 AGGM Austrian Gas Grid Management AG
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