EU directive on gas and hydrogen networks [EU Legislation in Progress]

Written by Monika Dulian and Alex Wilson (2nd edition, updated on 25.04.2023).

On 15 December 2021, the Commission adopted a legislative proposal to recast the 2009 EU Gas Directive as part of the proposed hydrogen and decarbonised gas markets package. This reflects the EU’s growing climate ambitions, as set out in the European Green Deal and its ‘fit for 55’ package.

The proposal aims to support the decarbonisation of the energy sector by ramping up the production of renewable gases and hydrogen, and facilitating their integration in EU energy networks. The recast directive would become a core component of a new EU legislative framework for hydrogen networks, comparable to those that already exist for natural gas and electricity. The proposal would refine the principles of the existing Gas Directive and fully extend their scope to cover hydrogen networks. This includes an important set of consumer rights, provisions relating to transmission and distribution system operators (including their unbundling), third-party access and integrated network planning, and independent regulatory authorities.

In the European Parliament, the file was referred to the Committee on Industry, Research and Energy (ITRE) 2022 The report was adopted on 9 February 2023 and endorsed at the plenary session of 15 March 2023. The Council adopted its general approach on 28 March 2023.

Versions

• April 2023: EU directive on gas and hydrogen networks (2nd edition)