PRESS RELEASE
Hydrogen infrastructure ramp-up: H2 Amortisationskonto GmbH makes first payment to hydrogen core network operators
Berlin, 25. March 2025 H2 Amortisationskonto GmbH (AMKG) has made the first payout to the hydrogen core network operators from the amortization account. To support the hydrogen ramp-up, an amount of around 172 million euros was paid out to 18 hydrogen core network operators on March 25, 2025.
In principle, the hydrogen core network is financed privately by the operators of the pipeline infrastructures that are part of the hydrogen core network. A corresponding concept was developed by the German government and enshrined in law in the Energy Industry Act. This concept is intended to prevent the hydrogen ramp-up from being jeopardized by very high fees in the first few years and therefore provides for a cap on grid fees for hydrogen consumers. The amortization account will be balanced in later years.
By the end of February 2025, hydrogen core network operators had already become shareholders in AMKG alongside Trading Hub Europe GmbH. In addition to AMKG and the hydrogen core network operators, KfW as lender as well as the Federal Ministry of Economics and Climate Protection, the Federal Ministry of Finance and the Federal Network Agency were closely involved. “We are pleased that despite the very tight schedule, all preparations for this first disbursement were completed on time. The basis for this success is the very good coordination of all those involved, which was characterized by the will to achieve this important milestone together. As AMKG, we are proud to be able to support the development of the hydrogen infrastructure. With the first disbursement, we are taking an important step towards the ramp-up of the hydrogen market,” say Torsten Frank and Sebastian Kemper, Managing Directors of AMKG.
The next payout from the amortization account is scheduled for March 2026.
To the H2 Amortisationskonto GmbH:
AMKG is a special purpose entity. The company manages, administers and balances the amortization account as the account-keeping entity in accordance with Section 28r EnWG and makes the associated payments.
Further information on the company can be found on the AMKG website: www.h2amk.de