Subsidiaries of Shell have taken the final investment decision (FID) to build Holland Hydrogen I, which will be Europe’s largest renewable hydrogen plant once operational in 2025.
Specifically, Shell Nederland and Shell Overseas Investments have taken the FID to build Holland Hydrogen I renewable hydrogen plant.
With Holland Hydrogen I, Shell aims to produce hydrogen using electricity that has been generated by the offshore wind park Hollandse Kust Noord.
The 200 megawatt electrolyser will be constructed on the Tweede Maasvlakte in the port of Rotterdam and will produce up to 60,000 kilograms of renewable hydrogen per day. The renewable power for the electrolyser will come from the offshore wind farm Hollandse Kust, which is partly owned by Shell.
The renewable hydrogen produced will supply the Shell Energy and Chemicals Park Rotterdam, by way of the HyTransPort pipeline, where it will replace some of the grey hydrogen usage in the refinery.
This will partially decarbonise the facility’s production of energy products like petrol and diesel and jet fuel. Renewable hydrogen supply can also be directed toward decarbonising commercial road transport.
“Holland Hydrogen I demonstrates how new energy solutions can work together to meet society’s nee d f or cleaner energy. It is also another example of Shell’s own efforts and commitment to become a net-zero emissions business by 2050,” said Anna Mascolo , executive vice president, Emerging Energy Solutions at Shell. “Renewable hydrogen will play a pivotal role in the energy system of the future and this project is an important step in helping hydrogen fulfil that potential.”
Shell says its ambition is to help build a global hydrogen economy by developing opportunities in the production, storage, transport, and delivery of hydrogen to end customers. Holland Hydrogen I’s approval marks an important milestone on that journey not only for the Netherlands, but also for Shell globally.
European Union legislation determines under what conditions the hydrogen produced can be defined as renewable hydrogen or as a renewable fuel of non-biological origin (RFNBO). The criteria are covered by the ‘ Renewable Energy Directive (RED)’ . Some parts of the relevant EU legislation such as the Delegated Acts are under discussion and have not yet been finalised. Shell says it will take the resulting legislation into consideration when producing hydrogen.