The European Commission has granted approval for Germany's ambitious €3 billion Hydrogen Core Network (HCN) scheme, a significant step towards accelerating the deployment of renewable hydrogen infrastructure. The project focuses on repurposing existing gas pipelines and constructing new hydrogen pipelines and compressor stations to facilitate long-distance hydrogen transport within Germany and its connection to the broader European hydrogen network. Financing will be supported through State guarantees, offering advantageous loans for transmission system operators, encouraging early network use by consumers. Margrethe Vestager, the Executive Vice-President of the European Commission, praised the approval as a key advancement towards climate goals and clean energy investments. The scheme's alignment with the EU's Green Deal and 'Fit for 55' package underscores its significance in achieving net-zero emissions by 2050 and reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 55% by 2030. The approval reflects the EU's commitment to supporting Member States in meeting ambitious climate targets through strategic State aid measures, ultimately fostering economic growth and tackling climate change effectively.