European Union – October 31, 2026 -- The EU Agency for the Cooperation of Energy Regulators (ACER) found that institutional frameworks for hydrogen network planning remain incomplete across Member States, limiting alignment with the EU-wide Ten-Year Network Development Plan (EU TYNDP). The finding comes from its latest Opinion on national gas and hydrogen Network Development Plans (NDPs).

Three gaps limit alignment between national and EU-level plans

ACER reports that alignment varies across Member States and sectors. Gas network planning is well established, while hydrogen planning is still emerging. The agency names three obstacles:

• incomplete institutional frameworks for hydrogen network planning;
• differing levels of transparency and approaches to scenarios, infrastructure needs assessments and the presentation of network projects;
• uneven regulatory oversight.

The gaps matter commercially because candidate Projects of Common and Mutual Interest must be included in the latest EU TYNDP, prepared by ENTSOG, and assessed with its methodologies.

Gas networks adapt to biomethane and hydrogen injection

ACER identifies progress in three areas. Gas transmission networks are adapting to accommodate biomethane, and more Member States permit hydrogen injection into gas networks. Plans increasingly account for decommissioning and repurposing existing infrastructure. Market consultations are used more often to inform hydrogen planning.

ACER calls for a biennial planning cycle aligned with the EU TYNDP

The agency makes four recommendations:

• Strengthen institutional frameworks, with a biennial planning cycle aligned with the EU TYNDP and effective regulatory oversight, including approval and amendment of NDPs.
• Improve transparency on planning methodologies, regulatory assessments and project information such as costs, and strengthen market consultation on future hydrogen demand.
• Enhance cross-border and cross-sectoral coordination, including data exchange between system operators and better alignment of scenarios.
• Integrate decarbonisation measures, reflecting infrastructure decommissioning, repurposing of gas infrastructure for hydrogen, and biomethane injection projects.

ACER invites Member States and system operators to consider the recommendations. Its next Opinion is due in 2028.