Netherlands Building National Hydrogen Network

The Dutch government has revealed plans to invest 750 million euro (US$784 million) to develop a national hydrogen transportation network.

It has given the green light to state-owned?Gasunie?(Groningen, Netherlands) to begin construction. Gasunie is the owner and operator of the Dutch and north German high-pressure gas transmission systems. The Netherlands, like many European countries, is accelerating energy transition projects to reduce its reliance on Russian gas imports in the wake of its invasion of Ukraine.

"The aim of our rollout plan is to have a transport network that passes through the major industrial clusters, connects them to storage facilities and connects the Netherlands with neighboring countries," Dutch Climate and Energy Minister Rob Jetten told Parliament.

Gasunie will develop the hydrogen network in the Netherlands in the coming years, after which it will assume the role of TSO (transmission system operator). Gasunie will also play a role in the storage and import of hydrogen. Industrial Info is tracking the company's plans with?Vopak?(Rotterdam, Netherlands) and?HES International BV?(Rotterdam, Netherlands) to convert liquefied natural gas (LNG) tanks at the Port of Rotterdam into green ammonia storage tanks. The proposed 100 million-euro (US$108 million) ACE Terminal project will use existing facilities at Maasvlakte, a massive extension of the Europoort port and industrial facility within the Port of Rotterdam, Europe's largest port. It will be operational in 2026, subject to planning approvals and a final investment decision. The partners said that the site also offers space to develop an installation for converting ammonia into hydrogen. For additional information, see April 26, 2022, article--Green Ammonia Terminal Planned for Port of Rotterdam.

Speaking about the government's decision Han Fennema, chief executive officer of Gasunie, said: "Gasunie is very positive about the hydrogen plans announced today by Minister Jetten. We believe that hydrogen will play a major role as the energy carrier of the future. We now start the construction of the public hydrogen network in the Netherlands, which will be a great boost for the transition towards a more sustainable energy system. Industry in the Netherlands is currently responsible for about 25% of national CO2 emissions. The use of hydrogen as feedstock and fuel can reduce emissions in industry and make a major contribution to the 2030 and 2050 climate targets."

In the coming years, Gasunie expects the hydrogen network to connect the seaports with the large industrial clusters in the Netherlands and with storage locations for hydrogen. Connections with Germany (Ruhr area and Hamburg) and Belgium are also being looked at. Approximately 85% of the national network will consist of recycled natural gas pipelines which Gasunie said will become available because "there will be less and less transport of natural gas in the years to come."

Industrial Info is also tracking plans by?Shell Plc?(NYSE:SHEL) (London, England) to build a 200-megawatt (MW) hydrogen electrolysis plant at the Port of Rotterdam. In January, it contracted?Thyssenkrupp?(Essen) to build the plant, using 20-MW alkaline water electrolysis modules developed by Thyssenkrupp's Uhde Chlorine Engineers unit. The Holland Hydrogen I project will be powered by energy from the 759-MW Hollandse Kust North offshore windfarm. Commissioning is expected in 2024. For additional information, see January 19, 2022, article--Thyssenkrupp to Build Shell's Green Hydrogen Plant in Netherlands.

Contact us?for more information.

If you want more news,?click here.