The formal planning process for a new 8.4-kilometer hydrogen pipeline between Voerde and Duisburg-Walsum has officially commenced, marking a milestone in the expansion of Germany's national hydrogen core network.

Spearheaded by transmission system operator Thyssengas, the project is currently open for public review. 

The Düsseldorf district government began the formal inspection period on Jan. 16, and it is scheduled to run through Feb. 16. The submission follows the delivery of comprehensive planning approval documentation in December 2025.

Designed to bolster energy security in the Lower Rhine region, the proposed pipeline will link the cities of Voerde, Dinslaken, and Duisburg.

 It is intended to provide a future-proof supply route for industrial players, small-to-medium enterprises, and municipal gas networks by connecting them to the broader Dutch-German hydrogen corridor.

"This project gives the region a concrete hydrogen supply perspective for industry, SMEs and distribution network operators," Thyssengas said in a statement. The company frames the pipeline as a "central transport route for the Germany-wide hydrogen supply of tomorrow."

Technical specifications for the project include a DN400 pipeline with a four-meter-wide protective strip on either side. 

Thyssengas expects the project to move into the construction phase between late 2026 and 2027, with official commissioning and technical acceptance targeted for the end of 2027.

The roadmap for the pipeline began in 2024 with the finalization of the route corridor and the securing of a waiver from spatial impact assessment requirements. 

Throughout the remainder of 2026, Thyssengas aims to secure rights of way and continue local consultations alongside the formal approval procedure. 

Once construction is complete, the company plans to finalize landscape recultivation by the close of 2027.

Municipalities directly involved or adjacent to the development include the District of Wesel and the cities of Voerde and Dinslaken. 

The pipeline is viewed as a critical artery for the region's industrial decarbonization efforts, ensuring that local businesses remain competitive as Germany shifts away from traditional fossil fuels toward a carbon-neutral energy grid.