The European Commission has given the green light to Germany's ambitious plan to invest around 3 billion euros in state aid for the development of the Hydrogen Core Network (HCN) project, a system of hydrogen pipelines. This financial support aims to assist companies in building and operating the 20 billion euro pipeline network by providing them with financial guarantees to secure favorable loans for covering initial losses during the project's ramp-up phase, starting in 2025. Germany's ruling coalition has agreed on a financing mechanism, including an extension of the construction deadline to 2037 and investor protection measures in case of bankruptcy. The focus on encouraging the uptake of hydrogen as a green energy source is considered a priority, despite potential distortions to EU competition and trade. Hydrogen, which can be produced from renewable sources like wind and solar power, is gaining popularity globally as a versatile and sustainable form of energy that can contribute to achieving net-zero greenhouse gas emissions.