Interview with Christoph von dem Bussche, President of ENNOH and Managing Director of Gascade

in June, the extent to which the global gas market is exposed to geopolitical turmoil became apparent once again. After Israel's first airstrikes on Iran, the question immediately popped up as to whether Iran could block the Strait of Hormuz in retaliation. After the US intervened in the war, the concern increased even more. Gas trading prices reacted immediately, as will be reported in this edition. Lu Ming Pang, chief analyst at the Norwegian analysis specialist Rystad, writes that it is in the best interests of all states in the Middle East for the Strait of Hormuz to remain open. It remains to be seen whether Iran sees it the same way, or whether all other states in the region can take concerted action to avert the closure. When this edition went to press, thanks to a ceasefire between Israel and Iran, it looked like the strait would remain open.

In Germany and the EU, the closure would trigger discussions in different ways. Bündnis 90/Die Grünen (Green Party) is already pushing for a faster exit from natural gas, and the demands could intensify. However, the question may also be raised as to whether a rapid exit from Russian gas imports is a good idea under the current circumstances. I have described the EU Commission's specific legislative proposals in this issue. In Germany, in particular, however, more intensive consideration will likely be given to whether the low storage levels and poor bookings in many storage facilities are indeed a problem. Several operators also experienced difficulties with marketing in June. The German government's assessment that LNG will be available when supply gets tight is likely to be scrutinised once again. Bloomberg, a news agency, reported, with reference to anonymous sources, that the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy (BMWE) is considering establishing a strategic reserve. This consideration is probably a little late for next winter. But I hear that both the BNetzA and the BMWE are thinking more intensively about what needs to be done and can be done.

Dear readers, in this edition, you will also find some news about the absurdities of the biomethane market. I like the topic, even if it is basically something for ‘nerds’. Enjoy the read, even if the current situation offers little promise of pleasure in the energy market, especially the gas market.

I’m signing off for a summer break now and will be back at the beginning of September.

Dr. Heiko Lohmann
Freelancer

E-Mail +49 30 8824005

Topic of the month: Interview with Christoph von dem Bussche, President of ENNOH and Managing Director of Gascade

In December 2024, Gascade Managing Director Christoph von dem Bussche was elected as the first President of the European Network of Network Operators for Hydrogen, ENNOH. Like the European networks of electricity transmission system operators, ENTSOE, and gas transmission system operators, ENTSOG, ENNOH is to help shape the European regulatory framework for hydrogen grids. This is stipulated in Regulation 2024/1789 on the internal markets for renewable gas, natural gas and hydrogen. ENNOH is still in the process of being established, but is nevertheless already operational and publicly active. In their opinions, the European regulatory agency Acer and the EU Commission expressed a need for changes to the draft statutes for the association. Von dem Bussche explained to me in an interview how far the founding process has progressed, why he considers the requests by Acer and the EU Commission to be uncritical and where the most important tasks lie.

energate Gasmarkt: Mr von dem Bussche, how far are you advanced with the development of ENNOH?

Mr von dem Bussche: We have already come a long way. We have agreed on articles of association and rules of procedure, and have started work as an organisation. […]