News item | 2023-03-20 | 12:10
The Netherlands is planning the first large-scale offshore hydrogen production in the North of the Wadden Islands wind energy area. The wind farm has approximately 500 megawatts of electrolysis capacity and should be operational around 2031. The area was chosen because a wind farm was already planned here for the production of electricity, an existing natural gas pipeline can possibly be reused for transport to land and it can be properly connected to the onshore hydrogen network.
There is a lot of support for this project in the Groningen region. This project will be the first in which hydrogen production at sea is applied on a large scale. In this way, the government, the companies involved and network operators are gaining valuable experience with this new technology, which will play a major role in the energy system of the future.
Minister Rob Jetten: “We are a global leader with this plan. It is also a big step on top of the target of 4GW electrolysis in 2030 from the Climate Agreement. We have already designated the area as a preferred location so that preparations can start quickly and we provide the sector with clarity so that they can make their investment plans. I am also very happy with the support we receive from local authorities. The province and the municipalities are fully committed to a green economy in which the production of sustainable energy is central.”
Before the tenders are issued, the Ministry is carefully working out a number of important issues together with the Groningen region, parties around the Wadden Sea Region and involved parties. Such as the landing of the pipeline to bring the hydrogen from the wind farm ashore and how hydrogen production can be done safely and in an ecologically responsible manner.
The project will be the first project that connects to Gasunie’s offshore hydrogen transport network. This network will bring large quantities of hydrogen ashore and will be connected to the onshore hydrogen network. This year, details of what the offshore hydrogen network should look like will be worked out. The extent to which reuse of existing gas infrastructure in the North Sea is feasible will also be examined.
As a stepping stone to this project, work is also underway on a smaller pilot with an electrolysis capacity of approximately 50-100MW. This should remove the first defects from the technology so that the project of 500MW can be realized efficiently. Later this year, the minister also wants to choose a preferred location for this smaller project.