The move is driven by EU state-aid conditions rather than a shift in strategy from Uniper. The European Commission required the divestment of certain assets as part of its approval of state support granted during the energy crisis.

The transaction will cover Uniper’s entire shareholding in Lubmin-Brandov Assets GmbH & Co. KG, which holds a 20% interest in OPAL, with the remaining 80% owned by Gascade Gastransport.

The OPAL corridor stretches around 470km from Lubmin to the Czech border at Brandov.

Conversion of the pipeline’s northern section, which overlaps with Gascade’s Flow hydrogen project, is expected to be completed before the end of the year, with the southern segment following in 2026.

Uniper has launched an open, competitive bidding process, with interested parties invited to submit expressions of interest ahead of a formal pre-qualification phase.

German transmission system operators are set to begin capacity reservations for the hydrogen core network from 2026, allowing hydrogen producers, users and traders to secure transport capacity.