Demand assessment

By creating and maintaining the necessary transport infrastructure for gaseous energy carriers (natural gas, biomethane & hydrogen), the LTiP provides the basis for the efficient transformation of the energy system. A complete decarbonisation of the Austrian energy system cannot be implemented without a functioning gas infrastructure. It is therefore essential that this planning is based on profound data.

The demand survey for the current LTiP will take place from the beginning of February 2026 to the end of March 2026. During this period, market participants will have the opportunity to notify the network operator of their future energy requirements and hydrogen production by completing a questionnaire. In line with integrated planning in accordance with Section 22 (1) Z1 GWG, the LTiP also deals with the interaction with other energy sources, infrastructures and consumption sectors. Therefore, in order to obtain a coherent overall picture, other energy sources such as electricity, district heating, biomass, etc. are also surveyed in addition to future gas and hydrogen requirements.

This needs assessment will enable future energy requirements to be taken into account in good time in the planning and creation of the H2 Roadmap. This will enable the efficient and targeted development of the gas and hydrogen network of the future.

Based on the data provided, the necessary network expansion measures for setting up a hydrogen infrastructure and converting the gas infrastructure will be determined, while maintaining the system stability and security of supply of the current gas network infrastructure. These network expansion measures are presented in the H₂ Roadmap. The H₂ Roadmap shows a concept for a development path for the existing gas network for future methane supply and the future hydrogen network for hydrogen supply until 2050. The data collected serves as a basis for planning. The H₂ Roadmap 3.0 will be updated as part of the LFiP 2026 and presented to market participants in autumn 2026.

Learn more about the H2 Roadmap

In the event of a specific request for connection to the hydrogen network within the next six years, it is possible to submit an application to the network operator for an increase in capacity for the injection or withdrawal of hydrogen from a dedicated network. Based on these capacity expansion applications, one or more planning projects to cover these hydrogen requirements will be developed during the LFiP26 planning phase and submitted to E-Control Austria for approval.

Download template KEA Entry
Download template KEA Exit

Capacity expansion requests submitted by 31 May 2026 can be included in the current planning.

Planning

The demand model and the supply model for methane and hydrogen are created on the basis of the data provided. Hydraulic simulations within the framework of network modelling are used to assess whether all end customers and the required capacities can be supplied at the entry and exit points in the distribution area. The necessary projects to maintain and expand the gas infrastructure - consisting of a methane and hydrogen network - for a climate-neutral energy system are then developed together with the network operators.

Consultation

The three-week consultation on the current LTiP will take place from 2 until 22 November 2026. During this period, market participants have the opportunity to submit comments on the current LTiP. These comments will be taken into account in the LTiP.

Austrian Gas Infrastructure Day (AGID) on 9. November 2026

The LTiP 2026 will be presented to market participants at the Austrian Gas Infrastructure Day.

Submission for approval

It is planned that the current LTiP will be submitted for approval at the end of December.

• Meeting the demand for transport capacities to supply end consumers, taking into account emergency scenarios.
• Enabling the feed-in and supply of renewable gases
• Achieving a high degree of availability of transport capacity (security of supply of the infrastructure)
• Capacity requirements at entry and exit points to the transmission network and storage facilities
• Consistency with the Community-wide Ten Year Network Development Plan (TYNDP) and the Coordinated Network Development Plan (KNEP)
• Compliance with the infrastructure standard according to Art. 5 of Regulation (EU) 2017/1938
• Transparency and traceability with regard to planned and already decided network expansions and network upgrades, including the schedule of investment projects