Hydrogen market: The European Commission issues an opinion on the President of URE’s certification of GAZ-SYSTEM as a hydrogen transmission system operator
On 30 March 2026, the European Commission issued a positive opinion on granting a certificate of independence to the Gas Transmission Operator GAZ-SYSTEM. Accordingly, the Commission endorsed the President of the URE’s position on this matter.
GAZ-SYSTEM was designated as the hydrogen transmission system operator for the period from 17 June 2025 to 4 August 2026. On 17 June 2025, GAZ-SYSTEM also submitted an application for a certificate of independence to the President of URE. This certification is required for GAZ-SYSTEM to be designated by the Regulator as the hydrogen transmission system operator beyond 4 August 2026.
During the administrative proceedings, the President of URE took a position on granting the certificate of independence to GAZ-SYSTEM in the form of a draft decision, which, on 5 November 2025, was notified to the European Commission together with a request for an opinion on the operator’s compliance with the independence conditions and criteria.
On 30 March 2026, the European Commission issued a positive opinion on the matter. This opinion followed ACER’s endorsement of 24 February 2026.[1] Both the European Commission’s and ACER’s opinions are the first assessments concerning hydrogen TSO certification in the European Union.
The text of the European Commission’s opinion is available on the website of the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Energy (DG ENER)[2]. The document will also be published in the URE Bulletin, along with the ERO President’s decision granting the independence certificate to GAZ-SYSTEM.
By 12 June 2026, the President of URE will make a final decision on the certification of the hydrogen transmission network operator. This deadline is set by EU rules[3], which require the Regulator to adopt a final decision within 50 working days of receiving the European Commission’s opinion, and started running on 31 March 2026.
[1] ACER Opinion 03-2026 on the Certification of Gaz-System as a hydrogen transmission network operator.
[2] C(2026) 1943 final PL.
[3] In accordance with Article 14(2 Regulation (EU) No 2024/1789 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 13 June 2024 on the internal markets for renewable gas, natural gas and hydrogen, , amending Regulations (EU) No 1227/2011, (EU) 2017/1938, (EU) 2019/942 and (EU) 2022/869 and Decision (EU) 2017/684 and repealing Regulation (EC) No 715/2009 (OJ L of 15.7.2024)