Gasunie, a gas transportation company, has invested in the first phase of a national hydrogen network, which will run from the Second Maasvlakte to Pernis in the Netherlands.
Work on the hydrogen network is scheduled to commence at the Port of Rotterdam after the summer.
The hydrogen network, which will cost around €1.5 billion ($1.63 billion), is due to connect the key industrial districts of the Netherlands and neighbouring countries such as Germany and Belgium beginning in 2030.
The network will soon be linked to seaport import terminals, Dutch hydrogen production, and large-scale hydrogen storage facilities.
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Allard Castelein, CEO of the Port of Rotterdam Authority, said: “We are happy to hear Gasunie’s announcement. It is excellent news that work is starting in Rotterdam on the construction of the hydrogen network.
“Green hydrogen from sustainably generated electricity is going to play an important role in making industry and transport more sustainable.
“Our port in Rotterdam will be an international hub for hydrogen production and distribution. In that way, we will maintain our position as an important energy port in the future.
“On the basis of that role, we can deliver a significant boost for the green hydrogen economy in the Netherlands and Northwest Europe.”
The Second Maasvlakte to Pernis section is more than 30 kilometres and is expected to be operational by 2025.
The national network will ultimately be 1,200 kilometres long and 85 per cent of it will consist of existing natural gas pipelines.
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From 2030 onwards, the national hydrogen network will connect seaports to the major industrial clusters (Eemshaven, North Sea Canal area, Rotterdam, Zeeland and Limburg) in the Netherlands and to hydrogen storage sites.
Large-scale storage capacity will increase the flexibility of renewable energy supply.
The network also seeks to accelerate the Netherlands’ development as a European hydrogen energy centre, as well as the expansion of the international hydrogen market.
Gasunie has announced a first-phase investment of more than €100 million ($109 million). Hynetwork Services, a subsidiary of Gasunie, will be responsible for the development.
