Germany's four power transmission grid operators must prepare to integrate hydrogen-ready, gas-fired plants in the second half of this decade, the head of one of the four, Amprion, said on Thursday.

"We are talking about 17 to 21 gigawatts (GW)," said chief executive Hans-Juergen Brick in a call with reporters as the company presented 2022 data. "This could well mean around 35 plants of around 500 megawatts (MW) each at decentralised sites."

Germany wants to exit coal burning for power in 2030 and reach 80% of intermittent green power by that date compared with around 50% currently. (Reporting by Vera Eckert, Editing by Rachel More)