Zukunft Gas Becomes ‘The Gas and Hydrogen Industry’: A Strong Signal for Transformation

• Industry association Zukunft Gas decides to change its name to reflect the transformation of the industry in future.
• The gas and hydrogen industry will continue to pave the way for new gases in our energy markets.
• Kehler: ‘As a forward-looking industry, we stand for an energy transition that combines security of supply, economic efficiency and climate protection.’

Zukunft Gas, the voice of the gas and hydrogen industry, will operate under the name ‘Die Gas- und Wasserstofwirtschaft’ (The Gas and Hydrogen Industry) from January 2025. At today's meeting, the members voted by a large majority in favour of the renaming. The industry association is thus sending a strong signal in favour of the change in the industry towards a climate-neutral energy supply.

The new name emphasises the consistent further development of the gas industry towards the use of hydrogen as the central energy source of the future. ‘We are sending out a clear signal with this rebranding: The gas industry has risen to the challenges of the energy transition and is positioning itself as a forward-looking industry that combines security of supply, economic efficiency and climate protection,’ explains Dr Timm Keh-ler, CEO of the association. ‘Our new name emphasises the change in the industry: natural gas is our present, hydrogen and other new gases are our future.’

The renaming comes at a time when hydrogen is becoming increasingly important in Germany and Europe as a key technology for a climate-neutral energy supply: This year, the hydrogen core network was approved, the National Hydrogen Strategy was further developed and international energy partnerships were strengthened. In view of the upcoming federal elections, the Association of the Gas and Water Industry is calling for clear measures. Timm Kehler: ‘Green electrons and green molecules form the foundation of the energy transition. For a rapid ramp-up of hydrogen and biomethane, we need a binding and clear market framework and a green gas quota.’ According to Kehler, the focus must be on the achievable CO2 reduction of measures.

The industry association also emphasises the role of infrastructure: in addition to building an efficient hydrogen core grid and ensuring sufficient storage capacity, the distribution grid must retain its importance. ‘The gas distribution grids play a central role for around 1.8 million commercial enterprises that depend on a secure, reliable and economical energy supply. But a successful transformation of the grids is also essential for secure and resilient electricity generation,’ explains Kehler.