Gasunie and North Sea Port Join Forces for Zeeland’s Hydrogen Network

This ‘Hydrogen Delta Network NL’ builds on the current position of the region for hydrogen and should be given shape in the coming years. This is followed by the connection of this regional infrastructure to the national Dutch and Belgian hydrogen infrastructure.

Many companies in Zeeland are taking the necessary steps to contribute to achieving the 2030 and 2050 climate targets. Hydrogen is an essential part of the energy mix of the future. Hydrogen is no stranger to Zeeland. At present, the Zeeland industrial cluster, with 520,000 tons per year, accounts for 35% of the demand for hydrogen in the Netherlands.

Hydrogen: infrastructure, electrolysis and import

For a regional infrastructure for hydrogen, the market has to develop and additional activities are also necessary. For example, work is being done on electrolysis, in which CO ₂ -free hydrogen is made using sustainably generated electricity .

Several electrolysis projects have already been announced in Zeeland in which this so-called ‘green’ hydrogen will be made from sustainable electricity, especially from wind. In addition to the development around large-scale electrolysis, the region also offers good opportunities for the import of hydrogen via locations in the port area of ​​North Sea Port.

Ultimately connections with Belgium, the Netherlands, Germany and beyond

The developments in the supply and demand of hydrogen in Zeeland are concentrated in the industry in Vlissingen, as far as the majority of the supply is concerned, and in the Terneuzen-Ghent Canal Zone, where the main customers are located. In the coming period, the best way to connect Vlissingen and Terneuzen will be examined. The region offers opportunities for the reuse of existing natural gas pipelines (via land), but crossing the Western Scheldt is also possible (perhaps a joint crossing with several types of pipelines and cables).

Simultaneously with the development of the Zeeland hydrogen network, North Sea Port is developing a comparable regional network in Belgium together with gas transport company Fluxys and ArcelorMittal. The hydrogen infrastructure in the delta region will be ready by the end of 2025.

The Zeeland network is expected to be connected in 2027 to the national hydrogen infrastructure that Gasunie will develop in the Netherlands. This backbone will not only connect the Dutch industrial clusters, but also have connections with hydrogen storage in the Northern Netherlands, Germany and other parts of Belgium. The project and the expansion fit seamlessly into the hydrogen strategy that the Dutch cabinet recently presented on Budget Day with investments in the hydrogen infrastructure in the Netherlands.

Information for interested companies

Hydrogen Delta Network NL wants to facilitate the development of the demand for and supply of hydrogen by companies in the Zeeland region. A number of steps are followed for this. The specific activities, wishes and requirements for supply and demand in terms of capacity and volume are mapped out via an ‘Expression of Interest’. This further determines the pipeline capacity, dimensioning and route. Based on the results of this, the route for the regional hydrogen network will be determined in early 2022. The necessary investment decisions must then be taken by the end of 2022.

The Hydrogen Delta Network will be ‘open access’ and ‘non-discriminatory’: it will be accessible to all companies that want to market hydrogen at scale. Companies interested in the possibilities of the regional hydrogen infrastructure can contact Gasunie or North Sea Port.