In Etzel, Lower Saxony, Germany, the H2CAST pilot project is advancing towards establishing underground hydrogen storage in existing salt caverns. Gasunie and Storag Etzel have initiated the injection of approximately 90 tons of hydrogen into these caverns, signifying a crucial step in the project's progression. Additionally, Gasunie is set to commence the construction of the surface facility in the near future, further solidifying the commitment to the endeavor. The successful completion of the initial project phase, dubbed 'H2CAST Ready,' serves as a milestone by confirming the suitability of the chosen caverns and underground materials for hydrogen storage purposes. An official launch event took place on 9th May 2025, with key figures such as Marc van der Linden from Gasunie and Boris Richter from Storag Etzel leading the inauguration in the presence of notable personalities like Hester Somsen, the Ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to Germany, Christian Meyer, Lower Saxony’s Minister for the Environment, Energy and Climate Protection, and Olaf Lies, Lower Saxony’s Minister for Economic Affairs, Transport, Construction, and Digitalisation. The collaborative efforts and progress made in the H2CAST project demonstrate a positive trajectory towards utilizing hydrogen for energy storage and advancing environmental sustainability.