2025 was a pivotal year for the further development of Germany’s gas infrastructure. Across numerous studies and transformation strategy projects, one thing became clear:

The role of gas distribution networks will change fundamentally by 2045 due to an expected massive decline in gas transport demand. At the same time, the market ramp‑up of hydrogen – both in speed and scale – remains uncertain. These trends present existing gas network structures with significant strategic, regulatory, and economic challenges.

What 2025 has shown:

• Scenario‑based strategy development enables robust results and reduces uncertainties regarding future gas and hydrogen developments.
• The gas networks of the future will be smaller, more specialized, and focused on large industrial consumers.
• Hydrogen may become an important industrial energy carrier – but it will not serve as a nationwide replacement for natural gas.
• The transformation of gas networks entails substantial cost risks, particularly due to short‑term write‑downs, required decommissioning provisions, and declining CH₄ demand.
• Strategic planning, regulatory expertise, and integrated network planning are emerging as the core competencies of future network operators.

Conclusion: Gas network transformation strategies are essential for managing future challenges and mitigating significant cost risks.

The course for Germany’s gas DSOs is being set now: Without early strategic planning, risks related to write‑downs, decommissioning, and regulation will intensify. We support you in preparing timely and well‑founded decisions for gas network transformation.