• Contribution to ensuring Germany's gas supply
• Development of a nationwide hydrogen core network

KfW IPEX-Bank is once again extending the credit line for Trading Hub Europe GmbH (“THE”), which has been in place since 2022. This marks the fourth extension, while retaining the existing banking consortium consisting of Commerzbank, Deutsche Bank, LBBW, BayernLB, DZ BANK, NORD/LB and UniCredit.

KfW IPEX-Bank has acted as sole mandated lead arranger, bookrunner and agent since the credit line was issued.

This transaction marks the tenth consecutive year of the successful partnership between KfW IPEX-Bank and THE, including its two immediate predecessors, Net Connect Germany and Gaspool.

“We are very much looking forward to the next ten years with THE,” stated Aida Welker, Member of the Management Board of KfW IPEX-Bank. "Through our financings for THE, we are contributing to the security of the energy supply in Germany. We are also supporting the development of the Germany-wide hydrogen core network and, in doing so, the long-term viability of Germany's energy infrastructure."

In its role as gas market area manager (MGV), THE plays a key role in the German gas market. In addition, H2 Amortisationskonto GmbH – a subsidiary of THE – supports the financing of the hydrogen core network and manages the amortisation account; in turn, KfW has been commissioned to finance the amortisation account (credit line: EUR 24 billion).

About Trading Hub Europe GmbH
Trading Hub Europe GmbH was established on 1 June 2021 by the network companies bayernets GmbH, Fluxys TENP GmbH, GASCADE Gastransport GmbH, Gastransport Nord GmbH, Gasunie Deutschland Transport Services GmbH, NaTran Deutschland GmbH, Nowega GmbH, ONTRAS Gastransport GmbH, Open Grid Europe GmbH, terranets bw GmbH and Thyssengas GmbH. The high-pressure pipeline system in Trading Hub Europe’s nationwide market area will have a total length of some 40,000 km and connect more than 700 downstream networks. The tasks of the market area manager include balancing group management, the operation of the virtual point of sale and the procurement of balancing energy. Trading Hub Europe therefore ensures the smooth operation of the market area and makes a significant contribution to the supply of gas in Germany and Europe. THE is also providing operational structures for the 9,040-kilometre-long hydrogen core network. The aim is for the majority of the hydrogen core network to be built by 2032; the first sub-projects were launched back in 2025.