Energy infrastructure company Gasunie has taken the investment decision for the first part of the Dutch national hydrogen network.
Gasunie said the section is being developed by its subsidiary Hynetwork Services, which was commissioned by the government last year. The investment exceeds €100 million.
The first section of the network will run in Rotterdam from the Tweede Maasvlakte to Pernis, a stretch of more than 30 kilometers. Its construction will start after the summer and is expected to be operational by 2025.
The national hydrogen network, which is estimated to cost around €1.5 billion, will connect major industrial regions in the Netherlands and surrounding countries, such as Germany and Belgium, from 2030 onwards.
In addition, the network will have connections to import terminals at seaports, domestic hydrogen production and large-scale hydrogen storage facilities.
According to Gasunie, the network will eventually be 1,200 kilometers long and largely consist of existing natural gas pipelines. Rotterdam will act as a gateway for hydrogen to northwest Europe.
Hans Coenen, Gasunie’s executive board member, said: “This launch marks an important step in the development of the hydrogen chain, which we are taking together with partners… We are keen to contribute to the sustainability and security of supply of energy in the Netherlands and other countries in north-western Europe.”
Jorgo Chatzimarkakis, CEO of Hydrogen Europe, commented: “Within the European Union (EU), hydrogen is going to play a crucial role in making our societies more sustainable and contributing to European energy independence. Here, the Netherlands can play a connecting role to bring the international supply of hydrogen to industrial end-users.”
To note, Gasunie said it plans to play a connecting role in the energy transition by developing hydrogen infrastructure in the Netherlands, Germany and the North Sea.
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