Germany is set to play a central role in Europe's hydrogen economy with the approval of a €3bn investment in the Hydrogen Core Network (HCN) by the European Commission. This initiative aims to establish a national hydrogen distribution system that will not only cater to Germany's needs but also connect to the broader European market. The development is scheduled to have the first operational pipeline by 2025, ultimately completing the network by 2032. To finance this project, the state development bank will provide preferential loans to selected system operators, focusing on repurposing existing natural gas pipelines, constructing new ones, and setting up compressor stations. The approval of this state-funded intervention required assessment by the EU to ensure fair competition. Competition Commissioner Margrethe Vestager emphasized the necessity of the core hydrogen network for the European market, foreseeing significant contributions from the German scheme while maintaining competition integrity. Despite the initial expectation of a limited number of consumers, Germany plans to keep involvement costs low to foster participation in the emerging hydrogen ecosystem.